Ephesus Teatron Group,
Inc. is all set to transport all of us
to a magical world of musical theater as it proudly kicks off its first
production for 2017 with “ONCE UPON A MATTRESS” at the Tanghalang Yaman Lahi Theater,
Emilio Aguinaldo College located at 1221 Gen. Luna St. Ermita, Manila.
The schedule of
performances are as follows: Jan. 20 – 22 (Fri. – Sun.) at 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm.
“Once Upon a Mattress”
is from the Book by Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer and Dean Fuller. Music by Mary
Rodgers. Lyrics by Marshall Barer. (Based on the story The Princess and the Pea
by Hans Christian Andersen.)
The original 1959
Broadway production featured the debut of stage and TV personality Carol
Burnett, and received two Tony Award nominations for Best Musical and Best Leading
Actress. A 1960 London production was produced together with an originalcast
album recording. In 1996, Sarah Jessica Parker stepped into the leading role in
a Broadway revival production together with Jane Krakowski which was nominated
for the 1997 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. An Off-Broadway
production had a limited run last January 2016. Adaptations for television were
aired in the US in 1964, 1972, and lastly in 2005.
Synopsis:
Due to an unhappy
curse, King Sextimus is unable to speak. Meanwhile, his terror-of-a-wife, Queen
Aggravain, has taken over control of the kingdom. Most importantly, in an
attempt to keep Prince Dauntless single, she has decreed that only the princess
that can pass her test may marry her son. Further, no one else in the kingdom
may marry until Prince Dauntless does. Lady Larken and Sir Harry are extremely
disturbed by this fact since Lady Larken is now pregnant with Sir Harry's baby.
Luckily, Sir Harry is able to find an amazing princess, Winnifred the
Woebegone. She instantly catches the attention of Prince Dauntless, and in the
end, is able to pass the Queen's supposedly impassable sensitivity test. When
the Queen still tries to prevent the Prince Dauntless from marrying, he tells
her to 'shut up' which ends up breaking the curse on the king. Now able to
speak, King Sextimus regains his rightful position as leader of the kingdom,
and all is well.
For the Manila
production, “Once Upon a Mattress” will be directed by Steven Conde who recently
megged critically-acclaimed plays “Suicidal, Incorporated” and “Dog Sees God”
for Twin Bill Theater.
“Once Upon a Mattress”
is a silly, sassy, and a funny modern fairy tale musical with many amusing
moments bursting at the seams featuring an assemblage of first-rate pros loaded
with showbiz pizzazz and comic artistry from the Philippine theater industry.
Carla Guevara-Laforteza
and Cara Barredo shall alternately play
the role of Princess Winnifred the Woebegone. She is a feisty, outspoken, independent,
strong, optimistic, and free-thinking princess from the swamp lands. She isn’t
too good with manners. She wants to get married, but must go through the
queen's unfair test as well. The Prince, naturally, falls madly in love with
her.
Niño Alejandro will
play the role of Prince Dauntless. A nice, not too smart, everyday type of
young Prince who desperately wants to get married, but is prevented by his
mother's strict tests that she gives to all potential candidates.
Hans Eckstein and Chino
Veguillas shall alternately play the role of Sir Harry. He is the Queen’s
Champion-in-Arms - the Lancelot of Knights - the macho, slightly egotistical,
brave, romantic knight who decides to leave the kingdom to search for a
princess, and finds Princess Winnifred in the swamp. Easily jealous, but loves Lady Larken with
all his heart. Harry cannot marry Lady Larken until Prince Dauntless has found
a suitable bride.
Milay Guinid will essay
the role of Queen Aggravain. The loud, talkative woman who really rules the
country. She is an overprotective,
stubborn, sly Mom who is trying to keep her son, Prince Dauntless, from getting
married.
Raymund Concepcion will
play the role of King Sextimus. A kind, expressive, playful, and comedic
character who is silent due to a curse placed upon him by a witch before the
birth of Dauntless. He likes to chase girls through the corridors of the
castle.
Arion Sanchez and Chino
Veguillas will alternately play the role of Minstrel. The handsome narrator of
the story, as well as in the musical story line. He becomes smitten with Lady
Larken and tries to persuade her to flee to Normandy with him. He and the
Jester join forces to stop the Queen's plans.
Steven Hotchkiss plays
the role of the Jester. An energetic and peppy man who is the King's right-hand
man and assists him with every endeavor. The Jester also plots with the
Minstrel to spoil the Queen's plans.
Onyl Torres and Alex Dagalea shall alternately play the
role of the Wizard. The egotistical, ex-performer who directly serves the
Queen. He is the Queen’s Henchman and
thinks of all the Princess’ tests. He prides himself in his position and
basically obeys all of the Queen’s orders.
Yanah Laurel and Jill
Ita-as alternately essays the role of Lady Larken. She is the Queen’s
Lady-in-Waiting but is put in charge of Princess Winnifred. She is madly in
love with Sir Harry and desperately wants to marry him because she is pregnant
with his baby. She tries to flee the Kingdom after having an argument with Sir
Harry, but is convinced by Winnifred to reunite with him.
Sweet Samaniego- Buchanan plays the role of Princess No. 12.
She is the first Princess that the audience sees who is performing the rounds
of tests. Very eager, smart, thinks well on her feet – of course the Prince
wants to marry her.
The Ladies-in-Waiting and Knights and are all waiting for the
Prince to get married so that theycan get married to each other. These are character roles and are not just
part of the chorus.
The Queen’s
Ladies-in-waiting will be played by Sweet Samaniego- Buchanan, Ayam Eckstein,
Tina Macaraeg, Jill Ita-as, Mica Fajardo, Meggy Katigbak, Nicole Herrera, and Ash
Factor.
The knightswill be
played byVincent Kevin Pajara, Josh Cabiladas, Gry Gimena, Edrei Tan, Arion
Sanchez, and Alex Dagalea.
The artistic team of “ONCE UPON A MATTRESS” are as follows:
Steven Conde (Director); Sweet Samaniego –
Buchanan (Artistic Director), Pipo Cifra (Musical Arranger); Joseph Matheu (Light Designer); Stephen Viñas (Choreographer); and Kayla Teodoro(Costume/Set Designer).
The production team is composed of the following: Sweet Samaniego – Buchanan, Danielle B. Eckstein, Vincent
Kevin Pajara(Production Managers); Mary Joyce Tejero(Stage Manager); Toots
Tolentino (Publicist); Roman Arambala(Assistant Stage
Manager).
Ephesus Teatron Group, Inc. has Board of Directors composed
of Gerry Buchanan (Chairman); Sweet Samaniego-Buchanan (President and Artistic
Director), Emmanuel S. Martinez (Corporate Secretary and Company Manager).
For tickets and inquiries, call Ticketworld at 8919999; tel. nos.632-1330
and 646-9330 or visit http://ephesusteatron.com; email: sweetbutler@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ephesusteatrongroupinc.
Press release by: Toots Tolentino
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