The HFPPlayers celebrate 20 YEARS as one of STATEN ISLAND'S PREMIER THEATRICAL COMPANIES with a revival of
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14 @ 8:00 pm; matinee on Sunday, May 15 @ 3:00 pm
Friday, May 20, 2011 @ 8:00 pm and Saturday, May 21 @ 3:00pm & 8:00 pm
HFPP @ Msgr. Glynn Theater
366 Watchogue Road, Staten Island, NY 10314
(corner of Watchogue Road and Woolley Avenue)
Tickets $15 – Reserved Seating
Staten Island – Across the Verrazano Bridge, nestled in a cozy community center resides the HFPPlayers who – for 20 years – have brought quality entertainment to Staten Island. They begin their 20th season with a revival of Mary Rodgers, Marshall Barer, and Jay Thompson's uproarious musical comedy, Once Upon a Mattress.
Based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Princess and the Pea, the search for a true princess of royal blood takes many wild turns in this production directed by Eric Stein with musical direction by Christina Kenny and choreography by Michael Whelan, Kristin O'Blessin, and Christina Lorenz. The award-winning company will also present a series of radio play adaptations, a holiday production in December, and has already begun collaborations with companies off-Broadway.
“For a generation, we've been proud to enrich our borough with the lively arts” says co-founder and managing producer, Kathryn Whelan Stein, “we are very excited about this season, we are setting the bar higher, taking more risks, presenting a more diverse program, and even have plans to take productions on tour,” she continued. “It's about sharing our love and respect for the arts with our neighbors” saysMichael Whelan, co-founder, “... and bringing professional work right here to Staten Island,” concluded Eric Stein. The Whelan (and Stein) families has been at the forefront of this performing arts center since its inception and continue to be a major force to this day.
John Stillwaggon, who created the role of Dick in the off-Broadway musical, The Deciders, and professional dancer, Kristin O'Blessinappear in this production. Ms. Stein appears in the role of Winnefred the Woebegone.
Once Upon A Mattress features a whole company of talented artists from across the borough – and the country. The cast includes Kevin Daly, Richard Piedra, Christine Conway, Dayna-Marie Palma, Michael Nucciarone, Joseph Conway, Christina Lorenz, Alexandra Marrano, Sabrina Bogen, Lisa Fiore, Tiffany Raile, Alexandra Stein, Nancy Bates, Kristin Kaelber, Charlie Laquidara, Joseph Motola, Denise Sosa, Sabrina Bogen, Francesca Compagno, Christina Helgesen, Jared Holness, John Mancuso, Josephine Mauro, Marissa Mauro, Angela Nouvertne, Julia Nouvertne, Jack Obichinetz, Melissa Stuck, and Marylou Veasey.