Image from article ''Penny'' for your thoughts
What better way for young, aspiring thespians to spend the summer than performing in a musical comedy? And what better musical comedy than the Carol Burnett classic, “Once Upon A Mattress?”
This royal farce of a production is the latest project of Los Altos Youth Theatre cast members, who are set to begin a run of eight performances 8 p.m. Friday at an off-Los Altos location, the Cubberley Community Center in Palo Alto.
“It’s a real fun show and it’s got great music,” said director Tom Gough as he and his crew were rehearsing at Hillview Community Center in Los Altos last week.
Gough, who is in his first year teaching acting at Foothill College, called “Mattress,” which broke in 1959, “Carol Burnett’s coming-out party.” Burnett went on to become a household name with her popular television variety show.
He said the basic concept of the show has not been tampered with, but Gough noted the Youth Theatre gang planned some “unexpected performances” that may not necessarily follow the script. The crew plans, for example, some creative uses of props.
For those of you who haven’t tried this “Mattress” before, picture a spoof of the familiar fairy tale, “The Princess and the Pea.” Picture a frustrated royal family trying to marry off its prince. Picture a domineering queen and a king with a gag order on him like you wouldn’t believe.
Alexandra Carlson, who plays the controlling Queen Aggravain, is suited for the part by virtue of her own strong, engaging personality. This Castilleja School graduate, about to begin her second year at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, said she loves musical comedy and wants to have a career in theater.
“Theater is so interpersonal with you and the audience,” said the 19-year-old Palo Alto resident. “It’s a great feeling that your emotional state is translating to the people around you.”
Ronald Feichtmeir, 17, who will be a senior at Los Altos High School next year, plays the mute King Sextimus. The king has a curse on him, so he can’t talk. That means no lines, but a lot of gesticulating. “I never had a physical part like this before,” Feichtmeir said.
Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Aug. 22 and 23; and 2 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, Aug. 23 and 24. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students, seniors and children. For more information, call 948-6903.
