When Sara Tweedy plays the loud, aggressive, conniving ruler Queen Aggravain in the play, “Once Upon A Mattress,” she’s okay because Carol Burnett played the role in the movie version – and she’s a huge Burnett fan.
“After seeing her play the queen in the movie version, I knew I had to try for this role,” said Tweedy, a Destrehan native. “I’ve always wanted to play an evil role, and the queen is such a hysterically dominating character that it just fit me. Luckily, the director thought so too, because I got the part.”
The River Region Drama Guild will hold the play June 11 – 13 at 7:30 p.m. and on June 14 at 2 p.m. at the Hahnville Auditorium at Hahnville High School, 200 Tiger Dr., Boutte.The plot is simple.
No one in the kingdom can marry until Prince Dauntless first marries, but his mother Queen Aggravain cooks up scheme after scheme to make sure her darling boy doesn’t wed. Finally, a princess from the swampland far away swims the castle moat into the “Who will Marry the Prince?” competition and wins the prince’s heart.
“It’s hysterical,” Tweedy said of the production. “You will split your sides from laughing so hard. The story is a take on the old Princess and the Pea fairytale, complete with a cast of characters that you become invested in. You want to see if the Queen is going to get what’s coming to her. You care about what happens to Lady Larkin and Sir Harry. You fall in love with Princess Winnifred and Prince Dauntless. It happens naturally.”
Warren Hovis, also of Destrehan, called it “a successful love story” where the underdog wins in the end.
Hovis plays the minstrel in the play, a role he relates to as a musician and entertainer.
“For a moment in time, you can be someone you are not,” Hovis said. “It requires concentration, patience and dedication.”
As Lady Larken, St. Rose resident Haley Taylor said playing a romantic role is helping her advance as an actress.“I like drama and musical theater because everyone is a family and I can truly let go and be myself,” Taylor said. “I’m considering pursuing theater and drama because it has always been an important part of my life and it’s something that I absolutely love to do.”
Evan Deroche of Luling considers the Sir Harry role just right for him with its extreme emotional swings.
“I enjoy drama because of the process,” said Deroche, a sophomore at Destrehan High School. “I love reading through a script and slowly seeing I transform into a presentable piece of art and, along the way, making the show our own unique form of the story.”
Tweedy, also a member of the River Region Drama Guild’s Board of Directors, said she’s been in love with drama since she was a child.
“My parents used to take my brother and me to the Saenger Theater when we were young to see musicals (and I am a proud season ticket holder today) and that intensified my passion,” she said. “When I was a senior in high school at Destrehan, we had to do senior projects. I centered mine around Broadway and was introduced to Henry Sorbet (managing director of the River Region Drama Guild). That introduction eventually led to a seat on the board, and the opportunity to discuss productions with similarly passionate people.”
She loves drama enough to pursue community theater as an unpaid hobby.
Tweedy tries to average at least one show a year, although she unabashedly states that she’ll audition for everything she can.
“It’s a great way to channel my creativity, and I’ve met so many fantastic friends throughout the journey,” she said. “That alone is a huge motivation to keep pursuing it – there is no greater feeling than being involved in a production (whether you are a lead role or ensemble) where the folks cast truly love what they are doing. It makes rehearsal so much fun and inspiring. I look around at the cast of this show and I am inspired every minute I am in rehearsal. I want to bring a lot to the table because my fellow cast members are killing it on stage. And that makes the blood, sweat and tears worth it.”
For Hovis, the “Once Upon A Mattress,” production is also a family affair. He is performing with his two daughters – Corinn and Leeann.
Haley said the musical takes a well-known story, “The Princess and The Pea,” and gives it a modern twist, making it appealing to any age.
And, for anyone still unsure about this production, Tweedy added it has something for everyone.
“You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll get angry and you’ll definitely get your money’s worth,” she said. “I’ve been a part of my fair share of productions and I can honestly say that this is definitely one of my favorites. Every member of this cast is dripping with talent, and you will want to see how this plays out on stage. Buy your tickets today or face the wrath of the Queen (she’ll make you swim the moat).”
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