ONCE UPON A MATTRESS -- CAST ANNOUNCED 

The cast for the community production “Once Upon A Mattress” has been announced.  It consists of over 30 actors and actresses, including college students, adults and children from Northwest Iowa and Minnesota.

“We’re excited to announce our cast,” says Carol Ayres, Professor of Music. “The cast is a wonderful mix of seasoned performers as well as brand new talent taking to our stage for the first time.   We are very lucky to live in an area that has such a wealth of incredible performers! The cast consists of people from all over and of all ages.  For example, we have children as young as five years old to people who are retired!  Cast members from Ruthven to Jackson, Minn.,” she added.

Princess Winnifred (Fred for short) is being played by Dillon Bennett, an Iowa Lakes Community College student. Dillon is a very good actress with a great sense of comedic timing who really understands her role and brings an excitement to the part that will leave you laughing.

The loveable mama's boy, who only has eyes for Fred is Prince Dauntless the Drab, played by Michael Wilbur, another Iowa Lakes Community College student known for his comedic portrayal. Wilbur also brings a great sense of comedy with him to the show.

Queen Aggravain, played by Jeannene Larson of Estherville, is a very picky, very overprotective mother who only wants the best princess for her son and will settle for nothing less. Jeannene brings a regal sense of propriety to the show that will leave you shaking your head. She is guided by a very wicked wizard, played by F. Joseph Wilson of Arnolds Park, who makes sure the queen is always happy.

King Sextimus, played by Dan Yonker, Jackson, Minn., is a mute, but incredibly expressive mime and teams up with Jester, John Wallace, Ruthven, and Minstrel, Jedd Sherman, Spirit Lake, for antics that amaze even the director at times.

For the romantics, there is the ever-popular couple, Sir Harry, played by Kyle Koenecke, Iowa Lakes Community College student, and Lady Larken, played by Madison Hargett, Iowa Lakes Community College student.  Their romance in song is a delight to watch and listen to.

Iowa Lakes Community College students Lindsay Bennett, Sara Williamsen, Breanna Watters, Phil Becker, Martha Stover, Seth Benson and Tim Christiansen are together with community people Aaron Nelson, Estherville, David Swanson, Spirit Lake, Marian Brunsvold, Spirit Lake, Micki Bradburn, Estherville, Christina Weston, Estherville,.

Some other community people are Serena Lynch, Estherville, Rachel Cruse, Estherville, Katie Friesner, Estherville, William Fuelberth, Spirit Lake, Matthew Fuelberth, Spirit Lake, Paige Stoliker, Estherville, Jared Sherman, Spirit Lake, Abigail Sherman, Spirit Lake and Eva Sherman, Spirit Lake; filling the roles of Ladies-In-Waiting, Knights, Pages, Ladies and Little Ladies-in-waiting.  There will also be a complete pit orchestra comprised of Iowa Lakes Community College students and community people.           

“Once Upon a Mattress” will be performed April 3, 4, & 5, 2008 in the Iowa Lakes Community College Estherville gymnasium at 7:30 p.m.

Based on the book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer, with music by Mary Rodgers and lyrics by Barer, the story ends happily and will appeal to audiences.  It is presented through special arrangements with the Rodgers and Hammerstein Theatre Library in New York.  For more information call (712) 362-7962 or (712) 362-7963.