“Once Upon a Mattress” — a musical comedy based on Hans Christian Andersen’s 1835 fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea” — will be presented as a collaborative performance by App State’s Department of Theatre and Dance and Hayes School of Music. Five performances of the musical will take place from April 15 through 19 in Valborg Theatre on the university’s Boone campus. Graphic by Brad Parquette
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance and Hayes School of Music are joining creative forces to bring a popular Broadway musical to life for the High Country community. The programs will perform the beloved musical comedy “Once Upon a Mattress” this spring, April 15–19, in Valborg Theatre on the Boone campus.
Over 100 App State students will be involved in the cast, orchestra and crew for “Once Upon a Mattress,” with a seven-week rehearsal and technical production process set to begin Feb. 15.
“This collaboration truly exemplifies the creative synergy between the Department of Theatre and Dance and the Hayes School of Music, highlighting the strengths of our artistic programs,” said Dr. Soo Goh, interim director of the Hayes School of Music. “The production will bring together the creative strengths of both programs for a charming tale of life, heart and humor, and it will surely be a delight for our students and our community.”
Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s 1835 fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea,” “Once Upon a Mattress” tells the story of Winnifred the Woebegone, a princess who must prove her sensitivity by sleeping on 20 mattresses with a pea hidden underneath. The original production debuted in May 1959, with music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer and a book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer. It has been popular for decades and is known for its catchy tunes and comedic, family-friendly nature. The show is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
“It’s great to be teaming up again with the Hayes School of Music,” said Mike Helms, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance. “The last time we did something on this scale was ‘Sweeney Todd’ in 2018, and before that, ‘Kiss Me, Kate’ in 2014. Those collaborations showed us just how much our students gain — creatively and professionally — when we work side by side.”
The creative team behind the collaborative performance of the musical comedy “Once Upon a Mattress” at App State include, from left to right, music directors Dr. Joby Bell and Dr. Tyler Young; orchestra conductor Dr. Alexandra Dee; and director and choreographer Kevin Warner. Photo by Chase Reynolds
The creative ‘spark’ of collaboration
The creative team for “Once Upon a Mattress” combines the talents of both App State entities under the veteran leadership of Kevin Warner, dance studies professor and past chair of the theatre and dance department, who serves as director and choreographer for the production. Warner has been working on the show for six months alongside his creative team colleagues.
Kevin Warner, dance studies professor and former chair of App State’s Department of Theatre and Dance, is serving as both director and choreographer for the production of “Once Upon A Mattress” — a collaborative musical comedy to be copresented by the Department of Theatre and Dance and Hayes School of Music this spring. Photo by Chase Reynolds
“There’s a real spark when our programs come together, and I can’t wait to see where this collaboration takes us,” said Warner.
Music direction for the production is provided by Hayes School of Music faculty Dr. Joby Bell and Dr. Tyler Young, with live accompaniment by the Appalachian Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Dr. Alexandra Dee. The orchestra is performing for the first time in Valborg Theatre’s renovated orchestra pit, a capital improvement made possible by a generous gift from App State alumna Maxine McCall ’60 ’65, a published author and leader in the North Carolina Society of Historians.
The Hayes School faculty are collaborating with members of the design and production team — including theatre and dance department professors John Marty (lighting), Mike Helms (set design) and Martha Marking (costumes). Senior theatre arts major Echo McArthur, of Greensboro, serves as stage manager for the show.
The App State design and production team bringing “Once Upon A Mattress” to life includes, from left to right, set designer Mike Helms; stage manager and senior theatre arts major Echo McArthur, of Greensboro; costume designer Martha Marking; and lighting designer John Marty. Photo by Chase Reynolds
Experiential learning takes center stage
Goh shared that such joint productions create the kind of experiential opportunities that can’t be replicated in a classroom.
Dee highlighted the artistic and educational opportunities the production offers App State students, stating, “Any new experience for the orchestra members broadens their skill sets and prepares them for potential career opportunities, so I am thrilled that we will all be working together to bring this production to life.”
Young added, “I am certain our students will benefit greatly from this opportunity as we combine musicianship, artistry, movement and acting into a grand performance, all backed by a faculty with decades of experience. We will learn and grow as a collective — our students will flourish and the faculty will bond to create the community we know as Appalachian State University.”
Five performances of the musical are scheduled to take place April 15–19 in Valborg Theatre on the university’s Boone campus. Tickets are available by phone, in person or online through the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts.
Additionally, on April 16, the Hayes School of Music and Department of Theatre and Dance will perform act I of the show for students at educational institutions throughout the region as part of the Schaefer Center for the Performing Art’s APPlause! K-12 Performing Arts Series, conducted by Hayes School of Music graduate student Marin Kimpton, assistant conductor of the Appalachian Symphony Orchestra.
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About the Department of Theatre and Dance
The Department of Theatre and Dance is one of seven departments housed in Appalachian’s College of Fine and Applied Arts. Its mission is to facilitate transformative experiences for students and the public, which cultivate compassionate, creative and collaborative communities through theatre and dance. The department also offers coursework for integrated learning through the arts to the general university student population. Its dynamic co-curricular production program provides exemplary theatre and dance experiences to departmental students, the university community and the region. Learn more at https://theatreanddance.appstate.edu.
About the College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University’s College of Fine and Applied Arts is a dynamic and innovative group of seven academic departments, bringing together a variety of perspectives, experiences and real-world education to provide unique opportunities for student success. The college has more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate majors. Its departments are Applied Design, Art, Communication, Military Science and Leadership, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment, and Theatre and Dance. Learn more at https://cfaa.appstate.edu.
About the Hayes School of Music
The Hayes School of Music prepares young musicians for professional lives as performers, composers, music educators, music therapists, conductors and music industry professionals, ensuring the next generation of musical leadership for the state, region and nation. Noted for quality instruction by national and internationally recognized faculty musicians, the school offers four undergraduate degree programs and three graduate-level programs. Learn more at https://music.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
