The Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center presents the youth edition of “Once Upon a Mattress” Feb. 16 to 18, with Sofia Castrillon-Ibarra (left), 11, of Brownstown as the Minstrel; Brady Pippin, 9, of Woodhaven as the King; Ciana Litten, 11, of Riverview as Winnifred; Evan Langlet, 12, of Brownstown Township as Prince Dauntless; Layton Gonsalez, 11, of Trenton as Sir Harry; and Lexi Pitock, 11, of Carleton as Lady Larkin. For more information, go to dypac.com.
From young talent honing their craft to a Broadway tour, two musicals are set to entertain as the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center presents the youth edition of “Once Upon a Mattress” and the Fisher hosts “Pretty Woman – the Musical.”
DYPAC PRESENTS ‘ONCE UPON A MATTRESS’ YOUTH EDITION
The mostly preteen talent of the Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center presents the youth edition of the musical “Once Upon a Mattress,” the story of an unconventional princess, a shy prince, a mute king and an overbearing queen, Feb. 16 to 18 at the Trenton Village Theater, 2447 W. Jefferson in Trenton.
Directed by Nathan Vasquez, the show features Ciana Litten, 11, of Riverview as Princess Winnifred; Sloane Cannon, 11, of Trenton as Queen Aggravain; Evan Langlet, 12, of Brownstown Township as Prince Dauntless; and Brady Pippin, 9, of Woodhaven as the King.
Also in the show are Layton Gonsalez, 11, of Trenton as Sir Harry; Lexi Pitock, 11, of Carleton as Lady Larkin; Sofia Castrillon-Ibarra, 11, of Brownstown Township as the Minstrel; Ava Cason, 10, of Woodhaven as the Jester; and Wade Ryan, 11, of Taylor as the Wizard.
Director Vasquez said “Once Upon a Mattress” is a personal favorite, and since it hadn’t been done in a while locally, he felt the time was right to introduce the show to a new generation of young actors.
“‘Once Upon a Mattress’ is a classic and beloved musical with a delightfully charming score and a cast of zany characters that have been pleasing audiences since the show first opened in 1959 with Carol Burnett in the leading role,” he said.
Vasquez said that the youth edition is an hour-long, kid-friendly adaptation of the full-scale musical, and includes audience-favorite songs like “Shy,” “Yesterday I Loved You,” and “Happily Ever After.”
“This musical has been a blast to work on,” he said. “With a top-tier cast, it has been fun coming up with many fun moments to make the audience laugh throughout the show.”
Litten said it has been challenging to develop Princess Winnifred into a “loud and sassy princess,” and it has been fun learning her character’s “weird moves and voice.”
Langlet said the role of Prince Dauntless has been both challenging and fun to develop.
“My most fun with my character is his innocence and childlike demeanor, combined with him being a hopeless romantic,” he said. “The cast has worked so hard and have created an amazing show, and I hope people enjoy the artistic flavor of all the unique actors.”
Pitock, as Lady Larkin, said she has enjoyed learning the upbeat dances.
“The show has amazing songs, some upbeat and some lyrical, and every song has been stuck in my head,” she said.
Gonsalez, as Sir Harry, agreed that the show has a lot of great songs and dances.
He has a duet with Lady Larkin, and said he has had to learn to project when he sings in a deep voice.
“The cast has worked really hard,” he said. “I hope everyone likes the play.”
Pippin, as the King, faces a different challenge: conveying his character without being able to talk, while relying on movement and facial expressions.
“I get to be funny,” he said. “Come see the funniest show. The songs are incredible and the acting is just right.”
Cannon, as Queen Aggravain, said her biggest challenge and most fun is playing a character very different from her own personality.
“I am not mean in real life,” she said. “Being mean and self-absorbed is a fun way to act.”
Vasquez said it is a joy to experience the audience’s reactions after the curtain goes down.
“They come in expecting your average grade school production and leave the theater having been thoroughly entertained by a group of talented young people,” he said. “This production is no exception.”
Also in the cast are Beckett Deltore, 11, of Brownstown Township as the First Knight; Jonah Bauer, 9, of Dearborn as the Second Knight; Nicolas Bond, 10, of Brownstown Township as the Third Knight; and Delia Henderson, 11, of Trenton as Sir Harold.
Meliah Scroggins, 13, of Allen Park plays Lady Lucille, with Raven
Harten, 10, of Woodhaven as Lady Rowena; Allison Langlet, 11, of Brownstown Township as Lady Beatrice; and Karsyn Smith, 10, of Trenton as Princess #12.
Other knights are played by Ellie Knapp, 9, of Grosse Ile Township; Peyton Powers, 11, of Taylor; and Holden Clemons, 13, Lucy Hurst, 9, and Trevor Robinson, 12, all of Trenton.
The other ladies-in-waiting are Katelyn Lach, 8, of Monroe;, Alicia Harris, 11, of Riverview; Addison Powers, 7, and Gracie Powers, 9, both of Taylor; LolaMoon HaleDelcamp, 13, Pearl HaleDelcamp, 11, and Aurora Zmijewski, 12, all of Trenton; and Stella Franklin, 11, of Woodhaven.
Premium seating is $14, with regular seating $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Showtimes are 7 p.m. Feb. 16 and 17, with a 2 p.m. Feb. 18 matinee. To order tickets, go to dypac.com.
Broadway in Detroit brings “Pretty Woman – the Musical” to Detroit Feb. 20 to 25 at the Fisher Theater, 3011 W. Grand Blvd. For more information, go to BroadwayInDetroit.com.
BROADWAY IN DETROIT BRINGS ‘PRETTY WOMAN – THE MUSICAL’ TO THE FISHER THEATER
Based on the popular movie, “Pretty Woman – the Musical” brings the well-known romance to the stage Feb. 20 to 25 at the Fisher Theater, 3011 W. Grand Blvd. in Detroit.
With music and lyrics by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and a book by Garry Marshall and J. F. Lawton, the story focuses on Vivian Ward, a free-spirited Hollywood prostitute, her best friend and roommate, Kit, and wealthy businessman Edward Lewis, who hires Vivian to pose as his girlfriend at business functions during his weeklong stay in town.
Vivian is transformed on the outside to fit into Edward’s high-class life style, while her joy and enthusiasm reminds Edward what is important in his life, and finds him changing his cut-throat approach to business deals and life.
Vivian and Edward transcend the social barriers that divide them while finding an unlikely love along the way.
The music has the feel of late 1980s, early 1990s up-tempo rock and roll, with Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman” featured during the curtain call.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 to 24 and 6:30 p.m. Feb. 25, with 2 p.m. Feb. 24 and 1 p.m. Feb. 25 matinees.
For tickets and more information, go to BroadwayInDetroit.com.