Based on the fairy tale of “The Princess and the Pea,” set in medieval times, the story centers around a kingdom where the prince of the land, Dauntless – played by Tyler Campbell – is searching for a princess to marry so that he can take the throne. The courtiers are very determined for him to find a princess, as only after Dauntless marries can anyone else in the entire kingdom wed.

The ensemble supported the main leads well and the choreography was pulled off smoothly. The supporting roles helped to piece together the storyline; however, most of the attention was focused on the main leads.

Each one of the singers who stepped out onto stage was very talented and every voice was distinct and unique. 

Winifred, the protagonist of the production played by Alexa Bellucci, stole my attention away completely. Her bubbly and energetic performance was youthful and suited the nature of the underdog she portrayed. Her voice was incredible and her solo in the second act, entitled “Happily Ever After,” was a huge crowd pleaser.

The mood of the musical was very light-hearted and quirky. It was very fun to watch and really entertaining for a great variety of ages. Sitting next to me during the show was a small girl, who seemed completely enamored with the show and was enjoying it right alongside me.

There were also subtle undertones. One who is a bit more mature may raise their eyebrows at the title Once Upon a Mattress, however there wasn’t anything that was distasteful in any way.

The main source of drama, besides the obvious conflict afflicting the protagonist, was the tension between the expecting couple Lady Larken and Sir Harry – played respectively by Amanda Duisenberg and Anthony Halverson. Divided between the first and second acts, they had two duets. Their voices accompanied each other very well and the ups and downs the couple experienced seemed real and brought out a more serious side to the play.

Diverting a bit away from the performers, the technical team really must be appreciated. Without them, the musical wouldn’t even be able to start. From the stage sets, which had almost seamless transitions from one part to the next, to the lighting, it was very professional. Even disconcerning the techs, who aren’t given much attention as they don’t even come up on stage to be recognized at the finale, their work really is what keeps everything on point.

Adrienne Dritz-Mars, the musical theatre director, did an outstanding job of putting this musical together. As the ring leader, she deserves just as much credit as the students who worked hard in this production. On a concluding note, I believe that Once Upon a Mattress is an excellent production and that those who have yet to see it really should take the time to admire their fellow peers’ dedication and hard work.

            This happy fairytale production is stuffed with fun dances, catchy songs, and appropriate amounts of cheesiness that puts a strange twist of the story as everyone knows it. But don’t be fooled by the fairytale aspect, it’s not just a show for kids. While the younger audience will be entertained by the princesses and pretty dancing, the older audience will listen between the lines and find the hidden comedy within that will prove more then entertaining then a simple princess story.

            Director and Musical Theatre teacher Adrienne Mars puts her and her student’s own flair on an already huge Broadway production to make it an original Woodcreek production. Accompanied by a live, professional orchestra and top of the line choreography, musical theater brings its own touch ofNew York Citytoo campus.

            The cast is a large one; fifty seven students in total with a large, talented ensemble and actors and actresses such as Tyler Campbell (Dauntless), Alexa Bellucci (Winnifred), Anthony Halverson (Harry), Nick Helmar (Wizard), Sierra Spandow (Queen Aggrivane), Wesley Rose (Minstrel), Matt George (King Sextimus), Amanda Dusenberg (Larken), and Braden Dahl (Jester) holding the lead roles.

            Queen Aggrivain, the villain in the story, has a tight grip over her kingdom and is doing everything in her power to stop her son, Prince Dauntless, from finding a princess to marry, and to keep her husband, King Sextimus, who is cursed, from having any say or source of power in the kingdom. But when a different type of princess shows up in the kingdom the Queen’s plans start to unravel as Dauntless begins to fall madly in love with Winnifred. With the help of the King, ladies, and knights in the kingdom, Dauntless begins to uncover his mother’s treachery and discovers what love really is like.

            Once Upon a Mattress has an esteemed reputation as a professional production that the musical theatre program aims to carry on. Shows are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of this and next week at seven. Tickets are eight dollars. Take a break from everyday life and jump into a fairytale storybook that has a few pages missing.

            This happy fairytale production is stuffed with fun dances, catchy songs, and appropriate amounts of cheesiness that puts a strange twist of the story as everyone knows it. But don’t be fooled by the fairytale aspect, it’s not just a show for kids. While the younger audience will be entertained by the princesses and pretty dancing, the older audience will listen between the lines and find the hidden comedy within that will prove more then entertaining then a simple princess story.

            Director and Musical Theatre teacher Adrienne Mars puts her and her student’s own flair on an already huge Broadway production to make it an original Woodcreek production. Accompanied by a live, professional orchestra and top of the line choreography, musical theater brings its own touch ofNew York Citytoo campus.

            The cast is a large one; fifty seven students in total with a large, talented ensemble and actors and actresses such as Tyler Campbell (Dauntless), Alexa Bellucci (Winnifred), Anthony Halverson (Harry), Nick Helmar (Wizard), Sierra Spandow (Queen Aggrivane), Wesley Rose (Minstrel), Matt George (King Sextimus), Amanda Dusenberg (Larken), and Braden Dahl (Jester) holding the lead roles.

            Queen Aggrivain, the villain in the story, has a tight grip over her kingdom and is doing everything in her power to stop her son, Prince Dauntless, from finding a princess to marry, and to keep her husband, King Sextimus, who is cursed, from having any say or source of power in the kingdom. But when a different type of princess shows up in the kingdom the Queen’s plans start to unravel as Dauntless begins to fall madly in love with Winnifred. With the help of the King, ladies, and knights in the kingdom, Dauntless begins to uncover his mother’s treachery and discovers what love really is like.

            Once Upon a Mattress has an esteemed reputation as a professional production that the musical theatre program aims to carry on. Shows are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of this and next week at seven. Tickets are eight dollars. Take a break from everyday life and jump into a fairytale storybook that has a few pages missing.

Disclaimer: The photos in this slideshow chronicle an accident simulation that is part of the Every 15 Minutes program occurring on campus Thursday, March 22 and 23 for juniors and seniors. The events seen are not real.

Disclaimer: The “Every 15 Minutes” program provides a realistic simulation of a drunk driving accident for juniors and seniors on high school campuses. These breaking news reports are part of the simulation and DO NOT depict real events.

Yesterday afternoon at approximately 4:15 p.m., a deadly accident occurred at the intersection of Woodcreek Oaks and McAnally. All five students involved are enrolled at Woocreek High School.

Alleged drunk driver Spencer Klinefelter in a 1995 tan Ford Taurus was returning from a Taco Bell run with Blake Robinson and Katie Putnam when he ran a red light and hit a white 1994 Ford Taurus. Alexia Pratt and Alicia Andrade, who were driving home from a study group at Starbucks, were hit on the driver’s side.

Platt was taken by helicopter and Andrade by ambulance, both to Sutter Roseville Medical Center where they died shortly upon arrival. Putnam, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected through the windshield and killed instantly.

Klinefelter was transported to the Placer County Jail, where he was booked on drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter charges.  He’s being held at the jail, pending arraignment later this week.

Students are already gathering at a make-shift cemetary in their high school’s quad to remember those who lost their lives.  A memorial assembly is scheduled for Friday, March 23 at 9:30 a.m.

We’ll bring you more news as it develops.