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In this fractured fairy tale, Prince Dauntless is emotionally dominated by his overbearing mother, Queen Aggravain. The queen will not let her son get married until he finds a princess who meets her exacting standards, forbidding marriage throughout the kingdom until he does.
The show is "a whimsical take" on Hans Christian Anderson's "The Princess and the Pea," said Teresa Donkin, one of the show's three co-producers along with Carolyn Nielsen and Christina Dieck. Matt Vanacoro, a music teacher at Fox Lane Middle School, served as musical director, and Jessica Vanacoro choreographed the show.
Director David Fritsch has taught theater at John Jay Middle School for years and has been involved in Bedford Community Theatre productions over the organization's 10-year span.
The Town of Bedford supports the theater production company by lending town buildings, like the Community House at 74 Main St., as well as supplying the assistance of town workers. The theater company brings in money itself through charging a cast fee and selling ads in the playbill and concessions during shows.
Donkin, who co-produced "Hairspray" last fall and whose 16-year-old daughter, Nola, plays a lady in waiting in "Mattress," said students from John Jay High School, Fox Lane Middle School and Fox Lane High School make up a portion of the 23-player cast, which includes elementary school students and adults as well.
Written by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer with music by Mary Rodgers and lyrics by Marshall Barer, the 1959 musical originally starred Carol Burnett.
Auditions for "Once Upon a Mattress" included singing, dancing and acting portions, Donkin said. The company puts on a musical and a straight play each year.
Performances times are 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19; 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27.
To order tickets for the show, which cost $20 each, email the Bedford Community Theatre at bctonline@optonline.net. Include name, phone number, address, number of tickets and which performance.
Those interested in ordering tickets may also call the Bedford Recreation and Parks Department at 914-666-7004.
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