Gifft Hill School students, including Alex Ray and Mariah Scheer, bottom left, wowed audiences over the weekend with their production of “Once Upon a Mattress,” which tells the tale of the “Princess and the Pea.” The play was produced by New England Youth Theater officials who spent two weeks working with GHS Upper School students.
Take one over-bearing mother, expertly played by Mariah Scheer, one scheming wizard, played to perfection by Alex Ray, add one hilarious narrator, the unparalleled Nadia Dudkin, one spunky princess, played with great skill by Lena Crume, one eager prince, played by a nuanced Lloyd Joseph, and an impressive cast of ladies in waiting and courtly knights and you have the delightful production of “Once Upon a Mattress,” by Gifft Hill School.
Working with New England Youth Theater officials, GHS Upper Campus students spent their two-week mini-mester creating everything from the well-designed costumes to the castle set which transformed the school’s auditorium.
The show premiered on Friday evening, January 11, with two additional productions on Saturday, January 12. Played to sold out crowds, the students displayed impressive talent.
Great music accompaniment and expert lighting helped to create the professional feel of the production. Audiences loved the singing, dancing and acting on display and awarded the cast with thunderous applause.
