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announces the 2010-11 production
Thursday-Friday-Saturday,
January 27-28-29, 2011
The Story The Minstrel and the Jester inform us that we are about to hear the true story of “The Princess and the Pea.” They know the real story because of the simple fact that they were there (“Many Moons Ago”). The story takes place in a small kingdom ruled over by the talkative Queen Aggravain and the Silent King. Their son, Prince Dauntless the Drab, is eager to marry but for one reason or another, the overprotective Queen finds every prospective bride unsuitable. She insists that he marry a genuine princess and devises tests for them that are impossible to pass. The Ladies and Knights of the kingdom bemoan the Queen’s marriage law which states, “Throughout the land no one may wed ‘til Dauntless to the altar’s led.” That, and the fact that the latest princess has just failed the Queen’s test, has left everyone dispirited (“Opening for a Princess”). Sir Harry assures Lady Larken that, despite the Queen, they’re certain to marry someday. After all, they’re in love. Harry convinces the Queen to allow him to travel the distant swamps in search of a princess for Dauntless. Three weeks later he returns with a princess in tow (Reprise: “Many Moons Ago”). Actually, Princess Winnifred the Woebegone beats him to the palace by swimming the moat, which does not endure her to the Queen. Undaunted, Winnifred professes her eagerness to meet the lucky prince she’s come to marry (“Shy”). The Queen refuses to believe that the soggy girl before her is a genuine princess, although her papers do seem to be in order. Dauntless begs his mother to give Winnifred a chance by testing her and eventually the Queen relents. She and the Wizard scheme to come up with the perfect test – one that looks fair, seems fair, and sounds fair – and isn’t fair. They settle upon a test for sensitivity. The Queen will place a pea under twenty downy mattresses and if it does not keep Winnifred awake, then she cannot possibly be a true princess (“Sensitivity”). The Ladies in Waiting and Dauntless accompany Winnifred to her bedchamber. The King arrives, eager to meet the new princess. The Jester explains to Winnifred that the King is under a curse, cast long ago, that says, “The King will never talk until the mouse devours the hawk.” It’s clear through the King’s pantomime, however, that he is impressed by Winnifred’s spunky nature, blowing her a kiss as he leaves. Dauntless and the Ladies ask Winnifred about her life back home, imagining that it must be very different than their life on dry land (“The Swamps of Home”). They all leave Winnifred to change out of her wet clothes. When she accidentally knocks over a vase of flowers, she uses her wet gown to wipe up the water. Lady Larken, who has not yet met Winnifred, enters and, seeing her on her hands and knees, assumes she’s there to scrub the floor. Harry arrives and is furious at Larken for mistaking the princess for a chambermaid. They argue, and Larken vows to run far away where Harry will never find her. The King confesses to the Minstrel and Jester his concern for Lady Larken, having learned of her plans to run away. They all agree to keep this a secret between them, which the King indicates won’t be hard for him as he doesn’t speak. But the Minstrel and Jester know that the King has no problem with making himself understood (“The Minstrel, the Jester, and I”). Back in Winnifred’s room, Dauntless helps her study for tomorrow’s test. When Larken arrives to say goodbye before leaving, Winnifred convinces her that Harry really loves her, persuading her to stay. Left alone, Winnifred picks up a book and continues her studies, despairing that all of the characters she reads about receive assistance in achieving their happiness (“Happily Ever After”). Larken finds Harry and explains that she had planned to run away, but has changed her mind. After the way she spoke to him when they argued, she says that she would understand if his feelings for her have changed. He admits that, in a way, they have – he loves her now more than ever (“Yesterday I Loved You”). To insure that Winnifred will sleep soundly, the Queen and Wizard plan to tire her out before she goes to bed. They decide to throw a ball in her honor. The Wizard will spike the punch with a special sleeping potion and the Queen will insist that everyone does a new, exhilarating dance that is certain to leave Winnifred exhausted (“Spanish Panic”). By the end of the exuberant dance, however, only Winnifred is left standing. Dauntless is more impressed than ever with the unusual princess, and when he learns that her nickname is not Winnie but Fred, he knows that she’s the girl for him (“Song of Love”). But by the time the ball has ended, the Queen’s plan has worked and Winnifred is asleep on her feet. In a palace corridor at three in the morning, the Queen guides the Knights and Ladies as they deliver twenty mattresses to Winnifred’s bedchamber (“Quiet!”). Alone in the room, the Queen places a tiny pea under the bottom mattress. Winnifred is escorted in to her room and everyone leaves her for a good night’s sleep. But Winnifred simply can’t seem to get into a comfortable position atop the mattresses and is last seen counting sheep. The following morning the Queen explains the “Test for Sensitivity,” promising Dauntless that, someday, they’ll find him a true princess. When Winnifred arrives, still counting sheep, it’s apparent that she hasn’t slept a wink and therefore passed the test. The Queen refuses to believe this, insisting Dauntless not to marry the girl. For once, Dauntless stands up to his mother and suddenly the Queen is struck mute – and the King can speak. It seems the mouse has devoured the hawk, as foretold in the prophesy. The King chases the Queen off, having lots to say after all his years of silence. The others escort Winnifred back to her room, admitting that, in fact, it wasn’t the pea that kept the princess awake. From beneath the mattresses they retrieve the Minstrel’s lute along with helmets, a staff, jousting equipment, a spiked shield, garden hoe, breastplate of armor, and various other bulky objects. They help Winnifred into bed, where she collapses. But after a moment, her eyes pop open and she begins to squirm in discomfort. Dauntless seems to understand what’s wrong. He removes the pea from beneath the bottom mattress, and Princess Winnifred falls asleep with a loud, endearing snore (“Finale”). The Cast
Princess Winnifred the Woebegone............................................................... Carley Cassandro Prince Dauntless the Drab..................................................................................... Nick Ross Queen Aggravain......................................................................................... Courtney Porto The Silent King.................................................................................................. Nick Doyle Lady Larken............................................................................................... Nicole Rizzitano Sir Harry...................................................................................................... Nathan Spear The Minstrel................................................................................................. Kara Hoffman The Jester...................................................................................................... Isabella Roll The Wizard................................................................................................ Andrew Hutmire Lady Lucille............................................................................................... Maria Botterman Lady Rowena.............................................................................................. Christine Brown Lady Beatrice................................................................................................ Jackie Yencik Sir Harold..................................................................................................... Gabe Stanton Princess No. 12......................................................................................... Margot California
1st
Knight.......................................................................................................
Matt Plazek Royal Ladies of the Court
Knights and Ladies of the Kingdom
The Tech Crew
The Production Staff
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back to this section frequently for updated information. If
you have any questions, see Mr.
Cloonan or Ms. McKinney (Chorus Room A100). Schedule for This Week:
Forms & Handouts
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Past NHJHS Musicals
Last Updated: 01/25/2011 |
January 18th Cast Update
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