Spring Musical: “Once Upon a Mattress”

Carla Paz & Monalise Mucha

The Cliffside Park High School Drama Club is back with their spring musical, “Once Upon a Mattress!” After two years without a spring musical, this musical was a return to form with intricate dances, unbelievable acting, and a fantastical set. For this article, Mona and Carla interviewed Mrs. Rembecky, Ms. Shawala, and Mr. Sherwood—the directors of the play.

Ms. Shawala:

What is it like doing a play after not being in person for two years?

It’s strangely familiar. It’s an amazing relief to be back in the theater and to be working closely with such wonderful students making a show. It’s exciting because we remember all of the amazing moments we’ve had, and now we have those moments to look forward to.

What are the differences between teaching music to a class and teaching music for a musical?

When you teach music for a class, the goal is very formal. It’s education, and you have a musical experience within that. However, it’s a different type of atmosphere than you would have in a creative, potentially fantasy storytelling environment. The rehearsals are more free, and the songs are specified toward individual skills. Students who have different talents get to work towards a specific goal for them and work within a character’s personality.

What is your favorite memory from the rehearsals of “Once Upon a Mattress”?

I don’t have a favorite memory because there are so many little things that happen all the time, so I guess you can say all of it.

What do you want the members of the drama club to take away from this experience?

First and foremost, I want them to receive joy. Beyond that, friendships, a love for theater, and the skills that come from putting in the work to produce this show. The purpose of the club is to give them something they could have as a lasting memory.

Ms. Rembecky:

What made you want to become the main advisor of the drama club?

I believe that theater is an important component of a liberal arts education. It teaches us to empathize with others, solve problems, and build trusting relationships. It allows us to learn about other art forms, such as music, dance, and visual arts. It gives us an opportunity to explore different cultures, traditions, and historical periods.

What is your favorite memory from "Once Upon a Mattress"?

My favorite memory, thus far, was seeing the joy and excitement on everyone's face when we brought the costumes into the theater. Ms. Shawala and I had spent an entire day choosing period costumes from the Theatre Development Fund's Costume Institute in New York City. Costumes from Broadway shows and the Metropolitan Opera are donated to the Costume Institute so that producers, directors, and filmmakers can get authentic and reasonably priced costumes for their productions. Luckily for us, Mr. Sherwood and Mr. Adler captured those moments on camera.

What has been the hardest part of creating this play?

The hardest part is usually building the scenery. I have just a rudimentary knowledge of set building. This show requires a castle wall for our princess to climb over. Luckily, Mr. John Farrel—a retired carpenter who has worked building scenery for Broadway, off-broadway, film and television productions—agreed to volunteer and help us build the wall. We are very grateful to Mr. Farrell, who is also the President of the Cliffside Park Arts Association.

How does one build confidence to perform if they have not had the opportunity to engage with the arts before?

Confidence in performance comes the same way it does in any other field—practice and repetition. As we rehearse a scene, a song, or a dance over and over again, we gain confidence. The night of the performance, although we may feel some nervousness at the very beginning, we quickly forget it as we begin singing, dancing and acting.

Mr Sherwood:

What made you want to become an advisor of the drama club?

I've been working in theater and on shows since I was a high school drama kid myself. Working on shows is just so much fun. Being able to help students put on a fantastic show is a wonderful feeling and experience. When I was given the opportunity to help and be involved with our drama club, it was literally a dream come true.

What is your favorite memory from "Once Upon a Mattress"?

So far, my favorite memory of Once Upon a Mattress has been getting to work so closely with the seniors on their final show. Our group of seniors this year is a wonderful group of students. Since we haven't been able to do shows for the last year and a half, getting to spend time with them on their final show has been really fun and amazing.

What has been the hardest part of creating this play?

The hardest part of putting on this show has been the set construction and crew work. We don't have as many crew students as we have had in past years, so it takes longer to get some things done.

How does one build confidence to perform if they have not had the opportunity to engage with the arts before?

The best way to build confidence with performing is to just get up and do it. Performing, like other arts and activities, requires practice. You won't do it right the first time. You might not even do it right the tenth time. The point is to dust yourself off and keep going. Performing needs to be fun and the more you expose yourself to it, the better you become and the more fun you have.

The advisors of the drama club have worked very hard throughout the past few months in creating this play. They have dedicated so much time towards the cast and the process of perfecting everything in time for the show. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the drama club last weekend.