WOODBURY — After yet another successful show in the books for the Nonnewaug Drama Club, students and teachers alike are on the edge of their seats as to what’s next for the group of actors and actresses.
Campbell Bologna, a four-year actress with the department, reveals all that’s to come for the future of the Drama Club.
“Once Upon a Mattress is the spring musical,” says Bologna. “The cast list just came out on Instagram, and more updates are coming soon. The first rehearsal was on Tuesday.”
Once Upon a Mattress, the upcoming spring musical, hasn’t been done by the school in recent years. Dominik Udvardi, an exchange student at Nonnewaug, shares important aspects of the musical that made him want to be a part of the project.
“Once Upon A Mattress is a comedic musical based on The Princess and The Pea,” said Udvardi. “I wanted to be part of the project because I am an exchange student here and only at the school for a year, so I want to experience as many different things as possible during my stay. I’ve been a part of a musical project in middle school once and I remember it being a ton of fun; that was a part of my motivation, too.”
After the December success of Radium Girls, Gianna Ruby-DaSilva reveals that big things are coming for the future musical.
“Some of the big things coming up include the set itself: It’s going to be the biggest set we’ve ever used for a show,” says Ruby-DaSilva, a senior at Nonnewaug. “The soundtrack is amazing. It has a lot of high-energy, musically appealing, and catchy songs, which we do big dance numbers to. The ones we practiced the choreography to already are so much fun. The characters themselves are really funny and the people playing them are extremely talented and bring them to life so well.”
Some of the actresses involved in the play are brimming with excitement for the upcoming project.
“The musical Once Upon a Mattress has a lot of amazing and fun aspects, like the fantastic songs and dances,” says Faith Lally, a senior at Nonnewaug. “The part I’m most excited about is just spending time with everyone and putting on a great show. The whole cast and director and everyone are so sweet and hardworking. I am so lucky to be in it and have fun, especially since it’s my last show at Nonnewaug.”
Talan Wilkas, an actress of two years, is thrilled to be involved in the upcoming play. Her character, Lady Larken, is a crucial part of what makes the musical special.
“I’m playing the character of Lady Larken; she’s the love interest of Prince Harry,” says Wilkas, a senior. “She’s witty yet charming. Her overall character portrays the desperate feeling the other girls in the castle feel about being unable to marry and start a life. She is one of the few determined people to help the newest princess pass.”
Members of the Drama Club have expressed how much these musicals have positively impacted their overall high school experience. Some say that feeling a part of such a great community makes them feel more involved.
“My whole high school career can be summed up with the drama department,” says Enzo Pamplona-Almiron, a senior at Nonnewaug. “The club is like a second family to me. It’s probably what I’ll miss the most when I graduate.”
Once Upon A Mattress will run from April 11-13 at Nonnewaug High School.
