• Home Page
• Archives
• Links & Directories

The Arts

• Also:
• Darla is First-Timer, Too!
• Performance Dates & Information

---

Once Upon a Mattress:

Teamwork Makes it All Come Together!
Story by Shelly Franklin - Photos by Ken Graham

Above: The cast of "Once Upon A Mattress" on the stage of the Liberty Theater.

This year's production of "Once Upon a Mattress" at the Liberty Theater in Dayton features the choreography of a multidimensional team: Brenda Chapman, Kim Grimshaw and Darla Anderson. These three ladies have been creating delightful, dancing displays which have entertained local theater goers since 2004.

Brenda began helping choreograph for Variety Shows a few years ago and just loves it. She became involved in the theater as an activity to share with her two daughters, Abbie and Allie. Brenda was a cheerleader in high school and loved making up dance routines. "I listen and listen and listen to the music, and then I see a video playing in my head", says Brenda about her creative processing. "I just see people moving on the stage."

Kim agrees that Brenda is the story teller of the trio. "Brenda can make the movement tell a story, but I can give it specific steps to an eight-count!" quips Kim. She is the detail person on the team. "I see dance steps and hand and foot positions." Kim has had extensive experience dancing. She, like Brenda, was a high school cheerleader, but was a member of a number of dance groups and drill teams. Kim admits that she lacks the theater experience Brenda has and so each depends upon the other to offer suggestions when they are preparing numbers for a play production.

Darla grew up in a "show biz" family! Her mother and brothers were all accomplished musicians and thespians. She was an accomplished dancer at ayoung age. Theater friends like to remind her of her debut tap dancing on a Television Talent Show, popular from 1953 until 1973, called "Starlit Stairway." She has taught tap dancing for several years. Darla is the member of the team who can really help pull everything together. Darla is good at everything, say both Kim and Brenda. "She can always see what needs to be refined or reworked to make the most of the talent we have to work with," says Brenda. Darla feels that her partners are very supportive of her personally. Each of the trio has tremendous respect for one another. They believe they are successful because it is easy to work together. They trust each other and all feel that they are working toward the same goals.

The most rewarding thing for all three of the team members is seeing a show come together. "People who are just beginning end up looking so professional on stage that you would never know they didn't start out as dancers!" says Brenda. The team of dance designers begin several months before the show is even cast, so they don't know exactly who they'll be working with. This, however, doesn't seem to faze them. They listen to the music, watch films and, with the advent of YouTube, they can see many other versions of dances for the same show. Sometimes a member of the team gets an idea that way, but most often their ideas are completely original.

The dances for "Once Upon A Mattress" are rollicking, fast-paced and tons of fun. The show numbers include: "The Spanish Panic", "I'm In Love With A Girl Named Fred" and "We Have an Opening for a Princess", to name just three. The dancing in this season's show will be the best you will have seen in the nine-year history of the Liberty Theater's live productions. Be prepared to have lots of fun following the antics of the crazy characters in this parody of the classic tale, "The Princess and the Pea".

Back to Top

 

Darla is a First-Time Director Too!

This year is Darla Anderson's year! She has taken on the daunting job of first-time director for the production of "Once Upon a Mattress" at the Liberty Theater. "It is very interesting learning the different sides of people," she says enthusiastically. "I have really enjoyed watching the show develop from a totally different perspective."
Darla is impressed by how the cast all works together and at how talented our local neighbors are. "Each year gives us the chance to welcome new people to the theater," she says, "and I was committed this year to encouraging new faces on our stage." Darla's biggest frustration has been rehearsal attendance. "Many of the people in our production are the people who do many other things in this community," she says. "Prior commitments, like sports and school and jobs, take lots of time."

Darla has been involved for about nine years in Dayton's Liberty Theater. She has had leading roles, chorus line roles, developed choreography, and taught musical numbers, dances, and coached actors. Until now, she had done everything but direct. Now it's her year!

Back to Top

"Once Upon A Mattress"

Dayton's Liberty Theater
344 E. Main St, Dayton
(509) 382-1380

Performance Dates

Friday, Nov. 13 - 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 14 - 7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 15 - 3 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 20 - 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 21 - 7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22 - 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 25 - 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 28 -   3 & 7 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 29 - 3 p.m
Friday, Dec. 4 - 7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 5 - 7 p.m.

Tickets go on sale November 3rd.
Reserved seats, $10 to $20
Tickets and more information available at the theater or online at www.libertytheater.org.

Back to Top