'Once Upon a Mattress' opening today

Staff Reports

Carson Valley youth not only perform in TOAD's "Once Upon a Mattress," opening tonight at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School, they play major roles in the production of the play.

"Once Upon a Mattress" is a spin on "The Princess and the Pea" fairy tale and is directed by Pau-Wa-Lu drama instructor Rich Garrett, and produced by Kris Garrett. The costumes were designed and built by Laura Jeanne Hammer.

But the balance of the staff are the students: Brynn Garrett, 17, is the musical director, and Carson City resident Brittney Kinsey, 19, choreographed the dances. Assistant to the producer is Isa Basche, 12, of Genoa, and assistant to the director and light board operator is 16-year-old Marcus Cotton of Gardnerville.

Technical staff includes Eric Cawthorne, 13, running the spotlight, Braeden Garrett, 15, is backstage manager and sound board operator is Victoria Martin, 15.

"Once Upon a Mattress" is also the return of Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School student Rebecca Martin, who was hit by a car last summer while she was crossing the street with her grandmother in Southern California. She had fractured pelvis, bruised lungs and a serious brain injury, and was finally wellenough to come home to Gardnerville in December.

Before the accident, Becca sang in the TOAD productions of "Godspell" and "Snow White," but her vocal chords needed to heal before she was able to perform onstage again.

TOAD artistic director Kris Garrett said people are excited to hear Becca would perform as Prince Dauntless in "Once Upon a Mattress."

"They said they got chills," said Garrett. "Becca Martin, the girl we did the 'Becca Shines' concert for last year, joined us this summer for our show. She landed the role of the lead prince and is doing a great job. She's singing, dancing and acting again.

"Each day her voice gets stronger when she sings and she works hard with her mom and her princess partner (Brynn Rothsfuz) to make sure she knows it all," she said.

"This is a community that followed her story, they would probably love to know that she is performing again."

TOAD presents "Once Upon A Mattress ," 7 p.m. today and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, and continues 7 p.m. Aug. 6 and Aug. 7, and 2 p.m. Aug. 8 at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School, 701 Long Valley Road, Gardnerville Ranchos.

Tickets are $10 for adults, and $8 for students and seniors, available at (775) 219-3577 or toadinc@gmail.com

The staff of "Once Upon A Mattress" performs songs, dances, skits, monologues and a one-man "Once Upon a Mattress" to raise money for scholarships for TOAD theater programs at tonight's performance.

Theatre of Arts Discipline, TOAD, uses theater, acting, music, dance and technical training to build self-confidence, maturity, self-discipline, responsibility and leadership for the arts in the community. Information, www.toad.vpweb.com