Kate Croonquist and Kirsten Traudt in MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress,’ the musical based on Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Princess and the Pea.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin
By Kevin Coughlin
Comedy is a serious business.
Especially if you have to act, sing and dance in addition to cracking jokes.
Really good comedians make it look easy. Really good comedians make it look fun.
Kate Croonquist is really good.
And she’s just a sophomore.
Croonquist sparkles as Princess Winnifred the Woebegone in Morristown High School’s sparkly spring musical, Once Upon a Mattress.
She’s spunky and plucky and swampy and tom-boyish, with nice singing chops and elastic expressions that might bring an approving chuckle from Carol Burnett, whose Broadway run in this role made her a star.
Kate Croonquist, center, stars in ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Croonquist is the biggest — but not the only — reason to see this escapist romp, a production that boasts clever sets (Moats! Splashing water! Bubbles! Parapets with an orchestra!), eye-popping costumes and an exuberant cast that seems to enjoy itself almost as much as its leading lady.
Nik Slackman caps an impressive high school theatrical career with a worthy performance as the doltish Prince Dauntless. Victoria Fanning is a delightful Jester, and Liam Mejia injects mischievous mirth as King Sextimus the Silent.
Victorian Fanning, Liam Mejia and Jeremy Palmer in ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Sophomore Hugh Grennan (the Knightly Sir Harry), has become leading-man material since we met him as a spritely 11-year-old Irish dancer in Morristown’s Got Talent. He and his Mattress sweetheart, junior Alexandra Monfalcone, turn in a pair of tuneful duets.
Alexandra Monfalcone and Hugh Grennan as Lady Larken and Sir Harry. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
But the performer who gives Croonquist a run for her money is senior Kirsten Traudt, who is over-the-top funny as the overbearing Queen Aggravain. Her face goes through more contortions than a Donald Trump apologist. In every scene, she commands attention — and she knows what to do with it.
Kirsten Traudt as Queen Aggravain. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Rookie Director Mike Maguire, who played Sir Harry as an MHS student in 2005, is now two-for-two. His fall re-telling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol was as lavish and ambitious as Mattress.
In the Yule production, a bit player in the second act impressed Maguire and his team with flashes of humor.
That player was Kate Croonquist. We’ll have to wait until the fall to see who emerges from Mattress as MHS Theatre’s next pleasant surprise.
Once Upon a Mattress
Morristown High School, 50 Early St.
April 1-2, 2016, at 7:30 pm, April 3 at 2 pm.
Tickets: $6-$12, online at mhstix.com or at the show.
Amy Albin and Kirsten Traudt in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Nik Slackman in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Victoria Fanning in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Victoria Fanning in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinKing Sextimus teaches Prince Dauntless the Facts of Life in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinKate Croonquist makes a point in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinNik Slackman as Prince Dauntless in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinPUMPING IRON in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinColorful costumes in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinHugh Grennan and Allie Fielding in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Kirsten Traudt as Queen Aggravain in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinJeremy Palmer in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Victoria Fanning, Liam Mejia and Jeremy Palmer in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Victoria Fanning in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Maggie Mustion in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Kirsten Traudt and Steven Blenner in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Supporting cast in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinThe cast in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinFUTURE IN-LAWS in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinCast sings in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinEnsemble number in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinCast kicks up its heels in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinKate Croonquist sings in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinKate Croonquist as Princess Winnifred in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinKate Croonquist as Princess Winnifred in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinKate Croonquist as Princess Winnifred in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinKirsten Traudt and Liam Mejia in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinAlexandra Monfalcone and Hugh Grennan in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinCast serenades Nik Slackman as Prince Dauntless in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinCast dances in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinCast in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinSteven Blenner in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinMaggie Mustion and Steven Blenner in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinJeremy Palmer in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinJeremy Palmer in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin CoughlinDON’T TRY THIS AT HOME! Swordplay in the Spring 2016 MHS production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress.’ Photo by Kevin Coughlin
