Director’s Note
Hello and welcome to Hononegah’s Performing Arts Center! Thank you for joining us for this performance. In attending today’s show of Once Upon a Mattress, I invite you to allow yourself to be whisked away into this rambunctious spin on the classic fairytale of “The Princess and the Pea.” Princess Winnifred the Woebegone shows us that her true nobility shines through her genuine empathy, perseverance, and relatability as a princess. Through silliness and beauty, our company shares the shenanigans and charm of this tale in hopes of welcoming you into the escape of the stories of the theatre. While fairytales carry us to far off places long ago, we can imagine for ourselves the lessons we can take with us into our own happily ever after.
Fondly,
Mrs. Carolyn Frieden Director
About The Musical
Once Upon a Mattress was written in the summer of 1958, adapted from the widely known fairy tale The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Andersen. The musical comedy soon grabbed the attention of many with its quick wit, humor, and loveable characters. Set in a repressed medieval kingdom, with a controlling Queen and a mute King, the townspeople are waiting for Prince Dauntless to find his princess that can pass the Queen’s test in order to set the kingdom free. Princess Winnifred comes into the kingdom, bringing her new ideas and unconventional princess ways, as a contender for the charming prince. Princess Winnifred is determined to pass Queen Aggravain’s test so she can marry Prince Dauntless. With music by Mary Rogers and lyrics by Marshall Barer, Once Upon a Mattress delivers a heartwarming, medieval performance. The use of atmospheric effects (fog. haze, smoke, etc.), flash, and pyrotechnic effects are included in this production.
Princess Winnifred................................................ Emma Caver
Prince Dauntless ............................................... Malakhi Hilton
Queen Aggravain ................................ Jennavieve (Gale) Harms
King Sextimus ...................................... Gabriel Serrano Letona
Minstrel ............................................................ Kirra Fluegel
Lady Larken ........................................................... Liv Simpson
Sir Harry .......................................................... Nathan Shapiro
Jester ............................................................... Maddox Lester
Wizard .............................................................. Taylor Moreau
Nightingale....................................................... Grace McLarty
Ash Castillo
Abby Church
Irelyn Crowley
Samantha Dietrich
Amelia Escamilla
Aj Gibson
Brayden Gibson
Kendra Hammonds
Sophie Hoyer
Baylie Hutchens
Keira Jones
Charlie Krieger
Isabel LaPonsie
Tessa Larson
Evee Layng
Cast Crew Pit Ensemble
Madison Mahan
Grace McLarty
Bell McLeod
Evelyn Newman
Ryan Nosbisch
Atticus Olsen
Toria Owens
Natalie Rasmussen
Val Rinaldi
Landon Sumner
Carter Szczesny
Eva Thor
Molly Toole
Megan Vandergrift
Jeremiah Kramper ........................... Director
Lisa Miller...................................... Keyboard
Hailee Jarrett ...................................... Flute
Ashlin McKernan .................... Flute/Piccolo
Brooke Franklin ............................... Clarinet
Kyliee Brooks ......................................... Oboe
Payton Kiely ......................... Tenor Saxophone
Ben Hansen ..................... Baritone Saxophone
Morgan Crowley .............................. Trumpet
Ema Mayer ....................................... Trumpet
Cal Kramper ............................... French Horn
Noah Reader .................................... Trombone
Averi Bronnimann ........................ Percussion
Jakob Keip ...................... Synthesizer Strings
Director & Choreographer ........................................................................ Mrs. Carolyn Frieden
Assistant Director ................................................................................... Mr. Christian Frieden
Scenic Designer & Lead Carpenter................................................................... Mr. Bradley Bond
PAC Director ..................................................................................................... Mr. Sean Mohler
Pit Director ............................................................................................. Mr. Jeremiah Kramper
Props and Costumes Coordinator ................................................................... Mrs. Kelley Beard
Stage Manager ................................................................................................... Ellie Carmona*
Assistant Stage Manager .......................................................... Maddi Matrick, Nicholas Archer
Audio: ................................................. Braydon Beck*, Evan Gilson, Jackson Lawyer, Ollie Elting
Lighting: ................................................................ David Houhau*, Tommy Wente, Aliyah Navarro
Fly Rail ................................................................................... Evan Guetschow*, Aliyah Navarro
Special Effects Technician................................................................................ Evan Guetschow (asterisk denotes crew heads)
Props and Costumes
Chloe Baumgartner, Meghan Bartch, Katie Marshall, Adele Montgomery, Isabella Murath, Savanna Neiber, Callie Parker, Maddie Schnurr, Splinky (Kaitlyn Ogden), Addisyn Hansen, Alistair Petz, Molly Vosberg, Quinn Washko, June Weidman
Overture
Prologue: Many Moons Ago
Opening for a Princess
In a lIttle While
Reprise: In a Little While Shy
The Minstrel, The Jester And I Sensitivity
The Swamps of Home
Spanish Panic
Normandy
Spanish Panic No. 2 Song of Love
Intermission
2
Acts: Act 1 Act
Entr’acte
Opening
Yesterday I Loved You
Nightingale
Finale
Bows
Hononegah Performing Arts Center
Completed in 1996, the Hononegah Performing Arts Center is a professional, fully-equipped 1,100 seat theater for live entertainment, dramatic productions, community gatherings, and music concerts. Not only a beautiful facility, the PAC is furnished with the latest state-of-the-art technical equipment to meet the needs and demands of its renters and patrons.
The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production and distributing recordings or streams in any medium, including the internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author(s)’s rights and actionable under United States copyright law. For more information, please visit: https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists
Chloe Baumgartner
Props and Costumes
Senior Bios:
Chloe is so excited to be a part of Props and Costumes for the first time! Most recently, Chloe was an Assistant Stage Manager for Failure: A Love Story this past fall. Chloe has performed in 20+ shows and has a passion for theater. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Braydon Beck
Head of Audio
Braydon is excited to perform his final show at Hononegah’s theater! He has been Head of Audio for all 4 years, working Diaries of Adam and Eve, Beauty and the Beast, Harvey, Mary Poppins, A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Addams Family, and Failure: A Love Story. In his free time, he enjoys playing games with friends. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Ellie Carmona
Stage Manager
Ellie has been so grateful to be in all eight Hononegah shows these past four years! Throughout her time in Hononegah Theatre being on the Stage Management team has taught Ellie life lessons and created friendships that will continue after high school. Although Ellie will not continue her theatre career professionally after high school, her time in theatre has been the best decision she could have made. Ellie will no doubt look back at these four years with love and laughter knowing she gave it her all in every show (plus all the late nights). Ellie hopes you enjoy the show as much as she enjoyed being a part of it!
Kirra Fluegel
Minstrel
Kirra is so excited to be performing on Hononegah’s stage again. This will be her eighth and final performance at Hononegah, with this being her 23rd show overall. She would like to thank her parents and the Frieden’s for everything they have done. Kirra doesn’t want this experience to be over yet, but can’t wait for future shows she’s in!
Evan Gilson
Audio
Evan is very excited to be working in his 4th show at Hononegah. Evan has previously been involved in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Addams Family, and Failure: A Love Story. He hopes to continue being involved in performing arts after high school. Have fun, and enjoy the show!
Senior Bios:
Evan Guetschow
Head of Fly Rail, Head of Build Crew
Evan is excited to be working on his 8th show with the Hononegah Stagehands Club. He has previously worked on Mary Poppins, Addams Family, and Failure: A Love Story to name a few. In his free time, Evan enjoys playing video games and playing Dungeons and Dragons. Hope you enjoy the show.
Addisyn Hansen
Head of Props, Head of Running Crew
Addi is thrilled to be participating in her 8th Hononegah show as a crew member! Addi became Head of Props as a junior and Head of Running Crew this year! Addi would like to thank her mom and her best friend Maddie, who has worked every single show with her. Addi is also involved in Student Council, Key Club, and Page Turners. Addi wants to thank Mrs. Beard and Props and Costumes for all their hard work. She hopes you love the show!
Jennavieve (Gale) Harms
Queen Aggravain
Jenna is ecstatic to be a part of her last musical at Hononegah! You might have seen her in previous plays or musicals such as Grandma in The Addams Family, or Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She participates in after-school Jazz Choir, Rugby, and the Paranormal Investigators Club. Jenna has loved to be a part of the Hononegah Theatre program all these years, and feels it is bittersweet to have such an amazing musical be her last. She would like to thank the directors, Mr. and Mrs. Frieden for inspiring her day after day, as well as her parents who have been supporting her since day one. She hopes you will all enjoy the show tonight! Have Fun!!
Sophie Hoyer Ensemble
Senior Bios:
Sophie is super excited to perform her last show at Hononegah! She has previously been in five other shows such as Mary Poppins as Northbrook/Ensemble and The Addams Family as an Ancestor. Sophie has loved being a part of these shows with some of her best friends and she is very thankful for all the fun experiences Mr. and Mrs. Frieden have given her! She would like to thank her siblings, her hilarious dad, and her beautiful grandma for coming to the show! She would also like to thank her amazing mom for being her biggest supporter and the best mom a girl could have! Enjoy the show!!
Jakob Keip Pit Orchestra, Synthesizer Strings
This is Jakob’s fourth show under the Hononegah stage. He has previously performed for Beauty and the Beast and The Addams Family on violin as well as Mary Poppins on keyboard. Jakob currently works at The Old Stone Church in Rockton leading worship. As the only violinist in Hononegah’s band, he couldn’t be more grateful for the warm community musicals make here. Hope you enjoy the show!
Cal Kramper
Pit Orchestra, French Horn
Cal is thrilled to be involved in the production of Once Upon a Mattress! She has played the french horn in the pit for Hononegah’s Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins, and keyboard for The Addams Family. She is also a drum major of the Hononegah Marching Band alongside Noah Reader, and plays horn in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra as well as the Rock Valley College Community Band. She plans on continuing music into college with a Music Education major, and would like to thank her family along with Hononegah enormously for supporting her goals throughout high school and her life. Enjoy!
Maddi Matrick
Assistant Stage Manager
Maddi is so happy to be involved in Once Upon a Mattress this year! This is Maddi’s third show as the Assistant Stage Manager, and sixth show overall at Hononegah. Outside of theatre Maddi spends her time hanging out with friends, doing gymnastics or enjoying a good movie! Maddi is so thankful to be working alongside her best friend, Ellie Carmona, on the stage management team. Enjoy the show!
Senior Bios:
Alistair Petz Props and Costumes
Alistair is super excited to help out with his 8th show at Hononegah! He’s been a member of Props and Costumes for all 8 shows, and has loved bringing each production to life. Outside of the theater, he also enjoys playing guitar and video games. He sincerely hopes you enjoy the show!
Noah Reader Pit Orchestra, Trombone
Noah is absolutely excited to be performing in his 3rd show in the Hononegah Orchestral Pit! He has been in the previous shows, Mary Poppins, and Addams Family. He is also a drum major along with Cal Kramper in the Hononegah Marching band, and plays in many different ensembles in the Rockford area. In his spare time, he likes composing works for ensembles, and totally stickin’ it to the man!
Natalie Rasmussen Ensemble
Natalie is so happy to share this year’s musical with some of her favorite people. What a fun experience this has been! Enjoy the show!
Maddie Schnurr Head of Costumes
Maddie is so excited to be involved in her eighth show at Hononegah, and her 10th show overall! She is so grateful that she got to have this experience alongside her best friend, Addi Hansen. She couldn’t have done it without her. She is excited to graduate and start college in the fall. Enjoy the show!
Senior Bios:
Gabriel Serrano Letona
King Sextimus
This is Gabe’s last show at Hononegah. He’s very sad that it’s finally come to an end, but he’s glad that he was a part of them. Gabe has been in every show since his Sophomore year, first debuting in the 2022 Fall play, Harvey. Gabe believes that theatre has helped him strengthen his self-efficacy throughout the years and he’s proud of that. Gabe gives his biggest thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Frieden for doing everything that they do and genuinely loving their job. He also thanks his mother for supporting him throughout the years and most importantly, The Lord, for letting him do what he enjoys. Gabe hopes you enjoy the show!!
Nathan Shapiro
Sir Harry Salutations! Nathan is very excited to be performing in his fifth and final show on the Hononegah stage. He has previously been in Mary Poppins as Ensemble, and in The Addams Family as Lucas. Nathan is also involved in Stagehands Club, and is on the Tennis team. He enjoys playing on his ukulele and performing in various choir concerts. He hopes that you enjoy this extraordinary silly funny wacky show!!!
Liv Simpson Lady Larken
Liv is so excited to have the opportunity to play this amazing role as her last here at Hononegah. She has met so many people throughout these four years and has had to watch many friends graduate before her as well. Last year, she played Morticia in The Addams Family here at Hononegah, as well as Miss Andrews the year before in Mary Poppins. She also has done theatre at Starlight Theatre since she was 11. Just recently, last summer; she played The Wardrobe in Starbright’s Beauty And The Beast. She wants to thank all of the cast and crew, without them the show wouldn’t go on. Thank you so much and enjoy the show!
Megan Vandergrift Ensemble
Megan is very excited to be involved in her fourth and final show at Hononegah! In years past she has performed at Hononegah in Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, and The Addams Family. Outside of theater, she dances competitively for Prestige Dance Company and is a member of Hononegah’s Vocal Jazz Choir. Megan would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support, and she would especially like to thank Mrs. Frieden for all the love and kindness she has shown her. She is very excited to perform this show and she hopes you love it!
Innovative Orthopedic Care
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Ortho Direct
Superintendent Mr. Michael Dugan & the Hononegah Board of Education
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Principal Mr. Chad Dougherty & the Hononegah Administration
The Fine Arts Department
Hononegah Faculty and Staff
Parents and Families of Hononegah’s Fine Arts Students
Kelley Beard
Sean Mohler
Jeremiah Kramper
Brad Bond
Michael Lawyer
Dr. Kendra Asbury
Lisa Miller
Jason Glodowski
Paul Bond
Aubrey Hartweck
Lori Cazel
Dee Mongan
The Krieger Family
The Fluegel Family
Students of the Graphic Design & Print Media Department
Students of Theatre Arts I & II
