[NEohioPAL]Lightweight 'Mattress' is solid fun......

Fri Feb 9 11:56:28 PST 2007

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

------=_NextPart_000_012B_01C74C5A.79F3FFF0
Content-Type: text/plain;
	charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

Lightweight 'Mattress' is solid fun
by Bob Abelman
Chagrin Valley Times
Feb 8,2007

Sometimes all you want from a night out at the theater is a good time.  =
No plodding psychological drama that requires mental energy.  No complex =
whodunit that demands absolute attention.  No heavy storyline that =
generates emotional angst.  "Once Upon A Mattress", as performed by the =
Hudson Players, fits the bill.

This musical send-up of Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tale "The =
Princess and the Pea", is delightfully lightweight.  It requires nothing =
more than an appreciation of rim-shot humor, over-the-top zaniness and =
bedtime stories.

After all, when a show is based on a familiar albeit fractured fable, =
the story-book characters are comfortable predictable, the simple plot =
is as transparent as cellophane, and the ending is happy by mandate.  =
What's left is the sheer fun of the storytelling, so you might as well =
sit back and enjoy it.

Although this production was short on quality voices among its featured =
players and a bit thin in the orchestra pit, the unbridled zeal and =
abandonment with which everyone performed carried the day.

No one was more unbridled than Claudia Lillibridge, as Winnifred the =
Woebegone, the princess selected to marry Prince Dauntless, if she is =
able to pass the queen's sensitivity test.  Ms. Lillibridge was a bundle =
of hilarious facial expressions , uninhibited physical contortions and =
dead-on double take reactions to her fellow players.  Her creativity, =
playfulness and comic timing were absolutely impeccable.

Equally impressive was the impish Marco Urbanic, as the prince, and Kirk =
Worchester, who played the Jester with charm and a graceful physicality.

Annie Meyer-Steinheister, as the overbearing queen intent on never =
marrying off her son, was masterful.  If it weren't for the strong =
performances by Tim Steiner, as the Wizard, Steve Brofman, as the mute =
King Sextimus, and Doug Lillibridge, as the minstrel, Ms. =
Meyer-Steinheiser would have stolen scenes.  Instead, she merely owned =
them.

Every fairy tale has it romantic characters.  Beth Judy, as Lady Larken, =
and Gary Maher, as Sir Harry, had little chemistry but their duets were =
a pleasure to listen to.

The big musical numbers were also a pleasure thanks, in large part, to =
the talented ensemble.  They brought energy and added vitality to the =
entire production.  Their phenomenal costumes, designed by Jane Deitrick =
and director Rich Jagunic, complemented the simple, brightly colored set =
by Tim Steiner and the gave the necessary medieval fairy-tale flavor to =
the show.

The only real shortcoming amidst the unadulterated fun of this =
production was the choreography by Sonny Sonnhalter.  Some of it worked =
during the ensemble numbers, but much of the movement was aimless.  And, =
yes, the director could have accentuated the well-intended bawdiness =
that exists in lyrics and the burlesque that lurks in the book.

Nonetheless, this was a highly entertaining mounting of a very silly =
story and , thus, a great success for the community theater in Hudson.  =
"Once Upon A Mattress" runs through Feb 24.

Performance dates are February 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 & 24 at 8 p.m. with a =
special 2 p.m. matinee performance being offered on February 18th. All =
performances take place at the Barlow Community Center in Hudson. =
Reservations can be made by calling 330-655-8522. Presale tickets are =
available at The Learned Owl Bookstore in Hudson. Tickets are also =
available at the door.

The Hudson Players are located right in the heart of Hudson, Ohio in the =
Barlow Community Center.=20
>From the North, simply exit 480 at Rt. 91 in Twinsburg and head south. =
Take a left on Rt. 303 (just past the clocktower) and a right on Oviatt =
St. The Barlow Community Center will be on the left hand side just a =
block down the road.=20

>From the South, exit Rt. 8 at the 303 exit and head east (right). After =
you head through the center of town, make a right onto Oviatt St. The =
Barlow Community Center will be on the left hand side just a block down =
the road.

 The Hudson Players are one of the area's longest running community =
theaters. With a rich history of great shows, community involvement and =
an ultra-friendly performing environment the group embodies its =
unofficial slogan of "good shows, good friends, good times.

Tickets are $12.00 Regular Admission and $10.50 For Students & Senior =
Citizens and Pre-Sale Groups. Reservations must be held with a credit =
card. All shows are reserved seating. Group rates are available. =
Organizations looking for fundraising options can participate in our =
sponsored house program as a quick and easy way to benefit your =
organization. Additional information is available via the web at =
www.hudsonplayers.com or by calling the Hudson Players Box Office at =
330-655-8522.=20

Chris White
Corporate Controller
M. Davis Management Services, Inc.
32100 Solon Road  Suite 204
Solon, OH  44139
440-542-1724-Phone
440-542-1726-Fax
------=_NextPart_000_012B_01C74C5A.79F3FFF0
Content-Type: text/html;
	charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; =
charset=3Diso-8859-1">
<META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.2800.1586" name=3DGENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 =
size=3D2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 size=3D2><STRONG>Lightweight =
'Mattress' is=20
solid fun</STRONG></FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 size=3D2><STRONG>by Bob=20
Abelman</STRONG></FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 size=3D2><STRONG>Chagrin =
Valley=20
Times</STRONG></FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 size=3D2><STRONG>Feb=20
8,2007</STRONG></FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 =
size=3D2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 size=3D2>Sometimes all you =
want from a=20
night out at the theater is a good time.  No plodding psychological =
drama=20
that requires mental energy.  No complex whodunit that demands =
absolute=20
attention.  No heavy storyline that generates emotional =
angst.  "Once=20
Upon A Mattress", as performed by the Hudson Players, fits the=20
bill.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 =
size=3D2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 size=3D2>This musical =
send-up of Hans=20
Christian Anderson's fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea", is =
delightfully=20
lightweight.  It requires nothing more than an appreciation of =
rim-shot=20
humor, over-the-top zaniness and bedtime stories.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 =
size=3D2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 size=3D2>After all, when a =
show is based=20
on a familiar albeit fractured fable, the story-book characters are =
comfortable=20
predictable, the simple plot is as transparent as cellophane, and the =
ending is=20
happy by mandate.  What's left is the sheer fun of the =
storytelling, so you=20
might as well sit back and enjoy it.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 =
size=3D2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 size=3D2>Although this =
production was=20
short on quality voices among its featured players and a bit thin in the =

orchestra pit, the unbridled zeal and abandonment with which everyone =
performed=20
carried the day.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 =
size=3D2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 size=3D2>No one was more =
unbridled than=20
Claudia Lillibridge, as Winnifred the Woebegone, the princess selected =
to marry=20
Prince Dauntless, if she is able to pass the queen's sensitivity =
test.  Ms.=20
Lillibridge was a bundle of hilarious facial expressions , uninhibited =
physical=20
contortions and dead-on double take reactions to her fellow =
players.  Her=20
creativity, playfulness and comic timing were absolutely=20
impeccable.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 =
size=3D2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 size=3D2>Equally impressive =
was the impish=20
Marco Urbanic, as the prince, and Kirk Worchester, who played the Jester =
with=20
charm and a graceful physicality.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 =
size=3D2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 size=3D2>Annie =
Meyer-Steinheister, as the=20
overbearing queen intent on never marrying off her son, was =
masterful.  If=20
it weren't for the strong performances by Tim Steiner, as the Wizard, =
Steve=20
Brofman, as the mute King Sextimus, and Doug Lillibridge, as the =
minstrel, Ms.=20
Meyer-Steinheiser would have stolen scenes.  Instead, she merely =
owned=20
them.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 =
size=3D2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 size=3D2>Every fairy tale =
has it romantic=20
characters.  Beth Judy, as Lady Larken, and Gary Maher, as Sir =
Harry, had=20
little chemistry but their duets were a pleasure to listen =
to.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 =
size=3D2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 size=3D2>The big musical =
numbers were also=20
a pleasure thanks, in large part, to the talented ensemble.  They =
brought=20
energy and added vitality to the entire production.  Their =
phenomenal=20
costumes, designed by Jane Deitrick and director Rich Jagunic, =
complemented the=20
simple, brightly colored set by Tim Steiner and the gave the necessary =
medieval=20
fairy-tale flavor to the show.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 =
size=3D2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 size=3D2>The only real =
shortcoming amidst=20
the unadulterated fun of this production was the choreography by Sonny=20
Sonnhalter.  Some of it worked during the ensemble numbers, but =
much of the=20
movement was aimless.  And, yes, the director could have =
accentuated the=20
well-intended bawdiness that exists in lyrics and the burlesque that =
lurks in=20
the book.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 =
size=3D2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 size=3D2>Nonetheless, this =
was a highly=20
entertaining mounting of a very silly story and , thus, a great success =
for the=20
community theater in Hudson.  "Once Upon A Mattress" runs through =
Feb=20
24.</FONT></EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 =
size=3D2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Performance dates are February 9, =
10, 16, 17,=20
23 & 24 at 8 p.m. with a special 2 p.m. matinee performance being =
offered on=20
February 18<SUP>th</SUP>. All performances take place at the =
<?xml:namespace=20
prefix =3D st1 ns =3D "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" =
/><st1:PlaceName=20
w:st=3D"on">Barlow</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Community=20
Center</st1:PlaceType> in <st1:City w:st=3D"on"><st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on">Hudson</st1:place></st1:City>. Reservations can be made by =
calling=20
330-655-8522. Presale tickets are available at The Learned Owl Bookstore =
in=20
<st1:City w:st=3D"on"><st1:place =
w:st=3D"on">Hudson</st1:place></st1:City>. Tickets=20
are also available at the door.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3Dblack size=3D2><SPAN lang=3DEN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Hudson Players are =
located right=20
in the heart of <st1:City w:st=3D"on">Hudson</st1:City>, <st1:State=20
w:st=3D"on">Ohio</st1:State> in the <st1:place =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName=20
w:st=3D"on">Barlow</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Community=20
Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. </SPAN></FONT><FONT =
face=3DArial><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><?xml:namespace prefix =3D o ns =3D=20
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" =
/><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText3 style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"><FONT face=3DArial =
color=3Dblack=20
size=3D2><SPAN lang=3DEN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">From the North,=20
simply exit 480 at Rt. 91 in Twinsburg and head south. Take a left on =
Rt. 303=20
(just past the clocktower) and a right on <st1:Street =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:address=20
w:st=3D"on">Oviatt St</st1:address></st1:Street>. The <st1:place=20
w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Barlow</st1:PlaceName> =
<st1:PlaceType=20
w:st=3D"on">Community Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> will be on the =
left hand=20
side just a block down the road. </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=3DArial><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2><SPAN lang=3DEN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">From the South, exit Rt. 8 =
at the=20
303 exit and head east (right). After you head through the center of =
town, make=20
a right onto <st1:Street w:st=3D"on"><st1:address w:st=3D"on">Oviatt=20
St</st1:address></st1:Street>. The <st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName =

w:st=3D"on">Barlow</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st=3D"on">Community=20
Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> will be on the left hand side just a =
block=20
down the road.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><FONT face=3DArial color=3Dblack size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"> </SPAN></FONT><FONT=20
face=3DArial color=3Dblack size=3D2><SPAN lang=3DEN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Hudson Players are one =
of the=20
area=92s longest running community theaters. With a rich history of =
great shows,=20
community involvement and an ultra-friendly performing environment the =
group=20
embodies its unofficial slogan of =93good shows, good friends, good=20
times.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText3 style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"><FONT face=3DArial =
color=3Dblack=20
size=3D2><SPAN lang=3DEN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT><FONT =
face=3DArial><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoBodyText3 style=3D"MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt"><FONT =
face=3D"Trebuchet MS"=20
color=3Dblack size=3D2><SPAN lang=3DEN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Tickets =
are $12.00=20
Regular Admission and $10.50 For Students & Senior =
</SPAN></FONT><FONT=20
color=3Dblack><SPAN lang=3DEN style=3D"COLOR: windowtext">Citizens and =
Pre-Sale=20
Groups</SPAN></FONT><SPAN lang=3DEN>. Reservations must be held with a =
credit=20
card. All shows are reserved seating. Group rates are available. =
Organizations=20
looking for fundraising options can participate in our sponsored house =
program=20
as a quick and easy way to benefit your organization. Additional =
information is=20
available via the web at <A=20
href=3D"http://www.hudsonplayers.com/">www.hudsonplayers.com</A> or by =
calling the=20
Hudson Players Box Office at 330-655-8522.</SPAN> <FONT =
face=3DArial><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 =
size=3D2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 =
size=3D2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 =
size=3D2></FONT></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#000080 size=3D2>Chris =
White<BR>Corporate=20
Controller<BR>M. Davis Management Services, Inc.<BR>32100 Solon =
Road  Suite=20
204<BR>Solon, OH =20
44139<BR>440-542-1724-Phone<BR>440-542-1726-Fax</FONT></EM></DIV></BODY><=
/HTML>

------=_NextPart_000_012B_01C74C5A.79F3FFF0--