‘Once Upon a Mattress’ at Lincoln Orens

Gina Symes, in blue, played the role of Princess Winnifred when she was an unrefined lady from the marshlands.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

Jaylyn Umana plays the role of Prince Dauntless. In scene one, Queen Aggravain — Jana Apostolakis — tells him he must get married.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

Once upon a Mattress-was performed at Lincoln Orens Middle school.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

Benjamin Upbin played the role of King Sextimus the Silent.

Penny Frondelli/Herald

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This past weekend, students in the Island Park Lincoln Orens Middle School Theatre Group presented the classic Broadway play “Once Upon a Mattress.” The musical comedy, an adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea,” is set in the Middle Ages. Princess Winnifred, a clumsy, brazen girl, is hoping to marry Prince Dauntless. But Dauntless’s domineering mother, Queen Aggravain, declared he must marry a true princess before anyone else in the kingdom can marry.

The cast captivated the audience with a variety of songs and choreographed dances. The play featured several outstanding performances including those by Gina Symes as Princess Winnifred, Jaylyn Umana as Prince Dauntless, Jana Apostolakis as Queen Aggravain, Marissa Feminella as Lady Larken, John Aebly as Sir Harry, Taneka Tucker as the minstrel and Benjamin Upbin as King Sextimus the Silent.