MOVE OVER HARPO MARX !

The drama club at Andrew's school (Galloway Township Middle School GTMS) has struck paydirt again! Last week, on Thursday March 27th, Friday the 28th and twice that Saturday, they performed the Broadway sensation, "ONCE UPON A MATTRESS."

Under the expert tutelage of drama department head Brian Conover, the players were double-casted to maximize student exposure to acting. The show features two female lead performers. Queen Aggravain is a femme fatale while the heroine and show stopper is Princess Winnifred...or as her friends around the castle call her, FRED! The next most prominent character is King Sextimus the Silent, played comically and engagingly by my scion, Andrew.

PRINCESS "FRED" AND THE PRINCE

Andrew was in the "A" cast and performed on opening night as well as the big Saturday night finale. His role was done nearly exclusively in pantomime (until his curse was broken at the end...and then, HE HAD PLENTY TO SAY !) Reminiscent of Harpo Marx, he used body language and expert timing to mock the queen and illustrate several puns--while still finding time to regularly and unsuccessfully chase hand-maidens across the stage.

IS THAT BO JANGLES? NO ! IT'S ANDREW THE FIRST HOOFIN' EDELBLUM

THE JESTER TOLD ANDREW TO PULL UP HIS SOCK BUT HE THOUGHT SHE WAS KIDDING

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I only saw the Thursday night edition and loved it. However, I was informed that the entire cast "let it all hang out" for the Saturday night show and really out did themselves.

The truly talented actress playing the princess easily made the audience love her as she sang, danced and did physical comedy ala Carol Burnett or Lucille Ball. My favorite moment was the ensemble's performance of the "SPANISH PANIC" dance. Within this number, the princess repeatedly does the queen's task, faster and faster to the dance music. Later, I also thought she was great when Andrew's crown fell off ...she was so smooth, that the audience didn't realize she was ad libbing.


CAST "A" CURTAIN-CALL. ON ANDREW'S RIGHT, IN THE MARIE ANTOINETTE FRIGHT WIG, IS THE QUEEN. TWO TO HIS RIGHT, IS PRINCESS winniFRED

I congratulate the school administrators, faculty, performers, the students behind the scenes and everybody else involved, for an entertaining evening and a job well done.

Scroll down for additional pictures.

IT'S GOOD TO BE THE KING--ANDREW GOT TO SIT AROUND LOT.

IT LOOKS LIKE ANDREW'S JUST HANGING OUT BUT NO !!!! HE'S ACTING !!!!!!!

MUGGING IT UP FOR THE PAPARAZZI AND AUTOGRAPHS SEEKERS