SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Middle school musical brings classic to life

By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
Once upon a time, a group of middle school students signed up to put on a musical bringing to life a classic fairytale…and they lived happily ever after.
That would certainly apply as the Crossroads North Middle School students prepare to open "Once Upon a Mattress" tonight at the school on George’s Road.
"I like being able to hang out with my group of friends here," Anna Hoffman, 13, of Kendall Park said about her time participating in the production. "You get to know them more and they become like your family. It is really sad when it ends."
The group of 15 lead actors in the production said that they enjoy the process of putting on the production and recognize the opportunities it could open up.
"We are always there for each other," Aaron Johnson, 14, of Franklin Park said.
Actor Jordan Hudec, 13, of Monmouth Junction said that he loves to be on stage and being able to act and eventually build a resume of performances so he can possibly pursue show business as a career.
"I grow with this and I learn more," Jordan said. "I meet new people and I have fun."
Being part of the production obviously means quite a bit to these students despite putting in the many hours during the last few weeks to bring the show together.
"I just want to thank everyone for making this eighth grade play so memorable for me," Jake Foeldes, 13, of Kendall park said. "The friends I have made will probably last a lifetime."
The show is based on the classic Princess and the Pea fairytale and includes music, comedy and romance.
Destinee Brown, 13, of Monmouth Junction gets to play the evil queen in the show that tries unsuccessfully to thwart the main romance in the story.
"I love my part," Destinee said. "The hardest part is having to hop, skip and jump off the stage at the end."
Even though Destinee said getting what her character deserves in the end when she loses her voice is the hardest part to act, but that she also understands why.
"If I wasn’t the queen (in the show), I would want me to be mute too," Destinee said.
The show also gave two lucky female students the chance to act like a princess.
"It makes me feel like I’m in a fairytale," Simran Khanna, 13, of Kendall Park said.
The other princess in the production, played by Maddy Schmidt, 12, of Monmouth Junction, said her character was more of a tomboy and lived in a swamp.
"I am kind of the princess of the swamp," Maddy said.
Cast members also credited the students working in the band and other areas of the production for their contributions to make the show happen.
They also said that they are aware of recent budget cuts and that they all contributed $75 to be in the show.
The school district initiated the $75 activity fee last year with a family maximum of $300.
The actors said that they hope the district can continue to fund the annual show in future years because it has made such a big impact on their lives.
Tickets for the production, which runs from 7:30 p.m. tonight through Saturday, costs $10 for adults and $7 for students.