Hightstown High School students will perform "Once Upon a Mattress".
By: Michael Ross
HIGHTSTOWN Here ye! Here ye! Is there a princess in the kingdom who can overcome a domineering queen and a clever test to prove herself worthy of the prince’s hand?
The Hightstown High School Drama Department will address said query next week when it performs the musical "Once Upon a Mattress" at the HHS auditorium.
"It’s based on the story of ‘The Princess and the Pea,’" Drama Director Cathy Anzuini said during a Monday rehearsal.
The fairytale, penned by Hans Christian Andersen (18051875), inspired "Once Upon a Mattress" written by Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer and Dean Fuller with music by Mary Rodgers (daughter of Richard Rodgers). The musical originally opened at the Phoenix Theater in New York City in 1959.
"This is what is called an ensemble play," Ms. Anzuini said, adding there are several characters who are central to the story. "This year, we decided to broaden the spectrum and give more people an opportunity to shine."
Ms. Anzuini said the cast includes 63 actors, a 20-student orchestra and 30 backstage crew who handle sets, lights, props, ushering and other duties. Musical Director Tina Petri and Choreographer Candace Woodward-Clough join Ms. Anzuini in directing the production.
The story is set in a small medieval kingdom where Prince Dauntless is looking for a bride while his overprotective mother, Queen Aggravain, seeks to keep the boy to herself. The queen declares only a true princess of royal blood worthy to wed her son and 12 would-be-brides fail the queen’s gauntlet of tests.
A knight then embarks on a search for a bride and returns with Princess Winnifred who, anxious to meet her prince, swims the castle moat instead of waiting for the drawbridge to be lowered.
Dripping wet, Princess Winnifred declares herself a contender for the prince’s hand while Queen Aggravain, appalled by the princess’s behavior, devises a clever test to determine if she is worthy of her son.
"I’m the total opposite of a princess, the queen thinks," said Danielle Horta who plays Princess Winnifred, a role originally portrayed by Carol Burnett. "It’s a true comedy," the 18-year-old senior said. "It’s a lot of fun."
"She swam the moat!" said Jenny Horowitz, who plays Queen Aggravain. She is a "very overprotective mom" said the 18-year-old senior whose character is less than impressed with Princess Winnifred.
"Jenny does all the talking," said 16-year-old sophomore P.J. Berman, who plays the queen’s husband, King Sextimus, and pantomimes his way through the musical.
"He had a curse placed upon him before the prince was born," P.J. said. "He’s a mute."
"Once Upon a Mattress," which runs roughly two hours in duration, will open at the HHS auditorium for senior citizens on Thursday, March 3, at 4 p.m. and for general audiences on Friday, March 4, at 7:30 p.m. The production also will run Saturday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 6, at 3 p.m.
Tickets, which are available at the door, are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.
"It’s appropriate for anyone," Ms. Anzuini said. "It’s a fun show; it’s a cute story."

