QUIET! screeches Queen Aggravaine, during a scene in Once Upon a Mattress, the retelling of the Hans Christian Anderson tale of The Princess and the Pea.
Quiet is next to impossible during the two-hour performance at the Neville Center for the Performing Arts at Fifth and Bailey in North Platte.
First, Queen Aggravaine gives many of her lines at lickety-split speed. Second, the audience cant help but respond to lines and actions often with echoing laughter.
Lets face it, Queen Aggravaine comes by her name honestly. The first part of her name must be for aggravating and the last part must come from migraine as in headache. She is that, and more!
Lou Cox-Fornander who other cast members vow is really a sweet person is portrayed as the loud, over-bearing and obnoxious mother of Prince Dauntless the Drab. In fact, Cox-Fornander plays the role so realistically, it would be easy to boo and hiss if this were a melodrama rather than a musical farce.
Butch Lehmkuhler uses the same athletic skills on stage as King Sextimus as he uses on the rodeo circuit as a rodeo clown pitted against a snorting, angry bull.
Without uttering a word, Lehmkuhler, uses body language and charades to convey his thoughts. Possibly the most demanding scene is when King Sextimus tries to explain the birds and the bees, without words, to his son, Prince Dauntless the Drab, skillfully played by Jeremy Whalen. Fortunately for the king, while the prince is dauntless the drab, he isnt totally naïve and catches on quickly to the meaning in his fathers message.
But first the prince must find a princess he likes. Thats not difficult, because he likes many of them. However, the queen, imposes an impossible test upon each princess, who really has no chance of ever passing the test and finding happiness with the prince. Hmmm, one gets the idea the queen doesnt want her son to find true love and leave home.
However, Prince Dauntless the Drab is not the one with the real problem. No one else in the kingdom may marry until the prince marries and this poses a BIG problem for Sir Harry and Lady Larken, played by Mike Crom and Elizabeth Odle, respectively.
The couple shared a romantic sunset weeks earlier and Lady Larken is now carrying proof of that night. The two must be married right away or Lady Larken must leave the castle in disgrace as her condition becomes evident.
Never fear, for Sir Harry will go seeking a suitable princess from far-off lands. All the princesses nearby have already failed the queens unfair tests. When Sir Harry returns, he brings an unusual princess to face the queen.
Katie Fisher, as Princess Winnifred, is not exactly what Queen Aggravaine had in mind for her son. However, laughter is guaranteed as the queen finally meets her match.
Brian Horst as the minstrel weaves in bits of information throughout the telling of the story. Colin Taylor is the wizard, who gleefully lends a hand to help the queen create havoc in her court. Also in a key role is Dan ONeill, the court jester, who joins the minstrel in befriending the king, who frequently needs their friendship .. especially when the queen is coming!
In the last one or two scenes, some things become clear. There are a few surprises in store and not just for the audience.
Others in the play are Sara Kirsch as Princess No. 12; Jim Schreck as Sir Studley; Donna Pucket as Lady Rowena; John Noonan as Sir Luce; Diane Jergensen as Lady Lucille; Todd Turner as Sir Ren bus quigly; Martha Orcutt as Lady Merrill; John Hales as Sir Elton of John; Kim Ford as Lady H; Roy Ward as Sir Rolls of Royce; Denise Burbach as Mabelle; Lodelia Baxter as Nightingale of Samarkand; Rebekah Odle as Lady Ondaline; Shayla Harrington as Lady Magdeline; Jamie Fisher as Lady Rosaline; Megan Kujath as Lady Knieval; Adam Odle as Sir Eugene; Dillon Edwards as Sir Edward; and Scott Odle as Sir Conrad.
Any review of a musical must also include the talents of the orchestra, which never fails the Playhouse. And, they didn't fail this time. The music is finely tuned to the play's action and helps set the mood. The musical score is not as familiar as in some plays, but each number fits the character and mood of the play like a snug glove.
Also, the costuming is wonderful. See if you can tell which actors are wearing draperies transformed into gowns and which one wears a lampshade throughout the play.
The play is directed by Anne Schmit, assisted by Jean Culey. Music direction is by Dick Hall and accompanist is Mary Lynn Horst.
The play is suitable for families with children age 6 or 7 and older.
The play will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21 and 22. Its a top-notch comedy, with good music and well worth the two hours.
Once Upon a Mattress will be presented at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21 and 22, at the Neville Center for the Performing Arts, Fifth and Bailey, in North Platte.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students age 16 and younger. Tickets are available at the theater office from noon to 5 p.m. daily through Saturday.
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