A crowning achievement

 When the Taft High School theater department brings a musical to the stage for the first time since 2019, it will be bringing a lot of new things with it — starting with the directors.

“This is my first year directing our Taft performances, said co-director Chloe Migliaccio, “and it has been a wonderful experience to see students come out of their shells on stage and take on new responsibilities.”

The show is “Once Upon a Mattress,” a comedic and musical version of “The Princess and the Pea.” Migliaccio thinks even people who don’t normally enjoy musicals will enjoy this creative take on the traditional fairy tale.

“With musical numbers that are fun and upbeat, we think that there will be lots of toes tapping in the audience,” she said

Junior Celia Fulfer, who portrays Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, also thinks the fun goes beyond the normal musical. “I think we make it fun and interactive with the audience throughout the show, including during our actual numbers.”

Emery Bingham, a sophomore, appears as Prince Dauntless the Drab, and is looking forward to the show’s “crazy characters,” going just beyond their uniquely descriptive names.

“Whether the character is loud, or bouncy, or the many other character traits the show portrays, it’s all so much fun,” she said.

Seventh grader Nola Longueira plays Queen Aggravain, a name Longueira said sums up the queen’s character as well as her own — at least every once in a while.

“I have really found myself in the character,” she said, laughing.

 “Once Upon a Mattress” will take to the stage at 6:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13; and at 1 pm and 6:30 pm on Saturday, May 20, at Taft High School 7-12, 3780 SE Spy Glass Ridge Drive. Tickets are $8 or $5 with a student ID.

A VIP Closing Night Pre-show at 5:30 pm on Saturday, May 20, will offer audience members the chance to meet and greet the cast. Admission is $5.

For more information, call 541-996-2115.