Dean Poling
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA —
Gingerbread Players of Theatre Guild Valdosta has stacked up the mattresses and the competitive spirit of battling princesses for its latest production, “The Princess and the Pea.”
As the stage crew moves the famed stack of mattresses off the stage, director Pauline Player leads a quick tour of the miniature sets that serve each princess.
There is the Malibu Barbie-flavored area for Princess Barbiette. An all-white area represents the sanctuary for Princess Purity. The wild Princess Stella makes her home in a virtual jungleland.
A different mobile set to accentuate the personality of each princess vying for the affections of the valiant Prince Valiant. As it has with past productions, Gingerbread Players uses a script by playwright Michele L. Vacca, who brings modern and comedic touches to classic fairy tales.
Theatre Guild’s show synopsis: “In this lively retelling of the classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson, Prince Valiant, searching for a princess to marry, meets Princess Olivia and falls in love. But before they can wed, she must pass the True Princess test. The test involves a pea, 20 feather mattresses, and a servant who really, really wants her to stay awake. One sleepless night in the castle brings surprises and lots of laughs.”
“The Princess and the Pea” incorporates a cast that is mostly youngsters but includes adults. Lynette Kenworthy, for example, is traditionally a Gingerbread Players director or busy back stage. She makes her stage debut with “The Princess and the Pea,” playing the brawny jungle princess Stella.
Meanwhile, many Gingerbread Players tried their hands at costuming. Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance grads and students work backstage, creating an educational experience for youngsters in the show.
THE CAST: Kaitlyn Allbritton, Blake Allen, Zach Allen, Diane Brunston, GraceAnn Brooks, Brenda Brunston, Julia Castillo, Rhiannon Courson, Angel Fitzgerral, Hope Fitzgerral, Sanaa Ford, Asa Gaines, Anna Riviere Gibson, Tate Green, McKensie Griffis, Jessica McKay, Jinjer Hammond, Lyndsi Herring, Lynette Kenworthy, Amelia Kumpel, Elizabeth Kumpel, Isabel Langdale, Megan Maruyama, Billy McLendon, Abagayle Mican, Hannah Moody, Tanner Morris, Campbell Mutert, Virginia Quinn Mutert, Meacon Nichols, Shelby Parker, Daryl Ragsdale, Brooke Rogers, Mikey Scott, Victoria Smith.
DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Director Pauline Player; Assistant Directors Jennifer Scott, Lindsay M. Herring; Producer Robin McLendon; Stage Manager Becky Bynum; Assistant Stage Managers Diane Brunston and Jessica Gaines; Scenic Designer Lindsay M. Herring; Assistant Scenic Designer Katelynn Kenworthy; Technical Director Dom Torres; Assistant Technical Director Thomas Poje; Scenic Charge Artist Lindsay M. Herring; Scenic Paint Crew Curtis Moody, Katelynn Kenworthy, Lynnette Kenworthy, Kellie Thomason; Scenic Construction Crew Curtis Moody, Lynnette Kenworthy, Katelynn Kenworthy, Robin McLendon, Bill McLendon, Billy McLendon, Tanner Morris, Shelby Parker, Meacon Nichols, Shannon Nichols, Joe Nichols, David Rathkamp, Gerald Hiers, Mikey Scott, Jessie McKay, Daryl Ragsdale, Megan Maruyama, Monica Maruyama, Dan Maruyama, Adrianne Taylor, Victoria Smith, Jessica Smith, Mark Smith, Kevin Kenworthy, Blake Allen, Christie Allen, Brenda Brunston, Diane Brunston; Lighting Designer Thomas Poje and Lindsay M. Herring; Assistant Lighting Designer and Master Electrician Jessie McKay; Electricians Katelynn Kenworthy, Curtis Moody; Costume Designers Mandy Fitzgerral, Lindsay Herring, Kellie Thomason, Katelynn Kenworthy, Lynnette Kenworthy; Costume Construction Mandy Fitzgerral, Martha Hiers, Lindsay M. Herring, Katelynn Kenworthy, Kellie Thomason, Lynnette Kenworthy, Pam Parker, Pauline Player; Props Master Lois Allbritton; Props Crew Parker Allbritton, Billy McLendon, Christie Allen; Special Effects Lindsay M. Herring; Sound Designer Jennifer Scott; Showcase Jessen Murillo; Program Sandy Trowell; Concessions Christie Allen; Cast Party Chair Holli Griffis; Photography Robert Kumpel, Amber Gibson, Jennifer Scott; Videographer Ben McLendon; Light Board Operator Katelynn Kenworthy; Sound Board Operator Maria Castillo; Special Effects Operator P.T. Candelario; Stage Crew John Nagy and Gerald Hiers.
SHOWTIME
The Gingerbread Players of Theatre Guild Valdosta presents “The Princess and the Pea.”
When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. March 26, 27; 2:30 p.m., March 28.
Where: The Dosta Playhouse, 122 N. Ashley St.
Tickets: $6.
Reservations, more information: Call 24-STAGE; or visit www.gingerbreadplayers.com
