by Public Relations | February 20, 2023
LATROBE, PA – The Saint Vincent College Players will present four performances of the musical “Once Upon a Mattress,” at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, through Saturday, Feb. 25, with a matinee performance on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center of the Robert S. Carey Student Center on the Saint Vincent campus.
Tickets are all general admission and will be available beginning one hour prior to each show in the box office of the Performing Arts Center. The theatre doors will open 30 minutes prior to the start of each performance. The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Saint Vincent students, faculty, staff and Benedictines will be admitted free with valid ID.
“Once Upon a Mattress” is a 1959 musical comedy with music by Mary Rodgers; lyrics by Marshall Bare; and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer. The musical premiered off-Broadway at the former Phoenix Theatre on May 11, 1959, before transferring later that year to Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre (at the time known as the Alvin Theatre). It is an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s 1835 fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea,” which is about a princess who must prove that she is royalty by a test of her sensitivity.
The SVC Players production will be directed by Greggory Brandt, Assistant Professor of Theatre in the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and Producing Artistic Director of Saint Vincent Summer Theatre.
“This musical holds a special place in my heart as it was the first musical I ever saw, back in 5th grade,” explained Brandt. “My brother was ‘The Jester,’ and I was bitten by the musical bug that evening. I love the message of this show, too: be strong, be who you are and have the strength to be different.”
Leslie Hanson serves as the choreographer, Beth Shari as the costume designer and Hazel Braun as the music director. The set has been designed by Chad Costillo.
The cast includes:
- Anna Doelling, a senior biology major from Latrobe, as Queen Aggravain
- Kelsy Levendosky, a senior nursing major from North Huntingdon, as Lady Larken
- Spencer Millay, a sophomore criminology, law & society major from Montoursville, as Prince Dauntless
- Josie Rodell, a senior history major from Latrobe, as Princess Winnifred
- Maggie Sullivan, a senior music performance major from Waldorf, Maryland, as Nightingale of Samarkand
- Mac Nowalk, a junior theology major from Arlington, Virginia
- Lillian Joan Lickona, a senior communication major from Rochester, NY, as Princess #12 and a dancer
- Ray Duffy, a senior history major from Bexley, OH, as The Wizard
- Brayden Gibson, a sophomore environmental engineering major from Warren, OH, as King Sextimus the Silent
- Andrew Downs, a sophomore math major from Loyalhanna, as Sir Harry
- David Collins, a junior English major from Oakmont, as Jester
- Joe Valenty, a junior economics major from Carnegie, as Sir Studley
- Sullivan Kennedy, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Belle Vernon, as Sir Luce
- Reilly McKay, a junior communication major from Ligonier, as 1st Knight
- Nicolas Domico, a junior cybersecurity major from Clearfield, as 2nd Knight
- Abigail McGinnis, a freshman music performance major from Hollsopple, as 1st Lady in Waiting (Rowena)
- Ava Adams, a sophomore communication major from Altoona, as 2nd Lady in Waiting (Merrill)
- Rachel Andreola, a senior math major from Pittsburgh (15236), as 3rd Lady in Waiting (Lucille) and a dancer
- Sarah Hartner, a sophomore digital art and media major from Irwin, as Emily (Chambermaid) and an ensemble member
- Monica Slattery, a freshman theology major from Mount Airy, MD, as Lady Mabelle (French)
The ensemble includes:
- Abigail Karkowski, a freshman criminology, law and society major from Ridley Park
- Lindsey Benjamin, a junior biology major from St. Marys
- Francesca Florie, a senior integrated science-allied health major from Ellwood City
- Helen Kish, a senior mechanical engineering major from Pittsburgh (15237)
- Angelina Bucci, a junior biochemistry major from Lower Burrell
- Caitlin Hopkins, a sophomore video and animation major from Lower Burrell
- Nora Cabala, a sophomore date science major from Summerhill
- Maddie Klun, a sophomore communication major from Minneapolis, MN
- Azzia Berestecki, a junior middle grade math education major from West Newton
- Kelly Burd, an undeclared freshman from Latrobe
- Samantha Lantz, a senior early childhood education major from Jefferson Hills
- Alyson Frank, a senior math education major from Allison Park, who is also a dancer
Dancers include:
- Grace Luikart, a senior math major from West Newton
- Bella Ladisic, a junior environmental science major from Elizabeth
- Aubrey Bacha, a junior communication major from West Newton
Ava Adams will be understudying Princess Winnifred, Abigail Karkowski will be understudying Queen Aggravain and Abigail McGinnis will be understudying Lady Larken.
Rachel Andreola serves as dance captain, and Madison Deen, a senior psychology major from Pittsburgh (15202) and Kate Lipscomb, a freshman data science major from Harmony, serve as the stage managers.
ATTACHMENT: Once Upon a Mattress Poster
