Doing comedy can be challenging at the junior high level. Or so says Marilee Castaneda, who’s directing “Once Upon a Mattress” at Hester Junior High.
“In some ways it is,” Castaneda said. “The kids need to understand the jokes they’re trying to deliver to the audience. Sometimes, it’s a little more difficult for junior high kids.”
The musical comedy has lots of jokes. It’s based on the story of the Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Anderson. Queen Aggrevain doesn’t want her son, Prince Dauntless the Drab, to get married, so she puts every potential princess to impossible tests. Meanwhile, no one else in the kingdom is allowed to get married until the prince gets married. Finally, a knight who wants to get married finds a princess from a swamp, Princess Winifred the Woebegone. And on it goes.
As usual, there will be a huge number of sixth, seventh and eighth graders involved: About 130 students total, including cast and crew.
There will also be a pizza party at 5 p.m. Feb. 19 at neighboring Passow school as a scholarship fundraiser. Pizza party admission is $5 but the school requests reservations in advance. Call (847) 455-2150 or email [email protected]
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The play is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb 19 and 20 at Hester Junior High, 2836 Gustav, Franklin Park. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors.