The CTA Miriam Wolfe Scholarship was established in 1989 in memory of alumna Miriam Wolfe (September 26, 1968-December 21, 1988) who died in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Miriam’s mother, Rosemary Mild, often participates in the scholarship selection process and gives the winners an autographed copy of her book, “Miriam’s World–and Mine.” The scholarship is supported by concession sales at CTA events throughout the year. This is only the second time in its 30 year history that CTA has awarded this scholarship to three winners.
The $1,500 grand prize scholarship winner is Ryan McCandless of Annapolis, Maryland. Ryan has been performing at CTA since 2018 when he starred as Michael Darling in “Peter Pan.” . After appearing eight times on CTA’s mainstage and working behind the scenes for several others, his journey ended last Sunday after starring as Sir Harry in “Once Upon a Mattress.” Ryan says, “CTA taught me to have confidence in myself both on and off stage.” As a result, I have tried (and loved!) many new things that I likely would not have attempted without the bravery CTA has instilled in me.” This fall Ryan will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology and will major in Aerospace Engineering.
Emily Egna of Davidsonville is a $1,000 scholarship winner. Emily’s journey with CTA began in 2020 when she was cast as Queen Iduna in Frozen, Jr. “Her role as Lady Merril in “Once Upon a Mattress” was her final role at CTA.Behind the scenes, Emily worked tirelessly as the lightboard operator in “Annie,” “Peter and the Starcatcher,” and “Maditla.” Emily says,, “CTA has taught me the power of a group with a shared goal. No performance is possible without every single person–cast and crew–giving their all. There is nothing better than the feeling of contributing to something greater than yourself – a feeling most people chase their entire lives. There is a power in theater unlike no other, and I’m grateful to CTA for giving me the opportunity to experience this feeling not once but many times.” Emily will attend Penn State in the Fall and plans to major in English.
Cate Weiss of Annapolis is also a $1,000 scholarship winner. Cate began her CTA journey in 2017 as a dancer and performer in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” Cate’s final CTA performance was in 2022’s production of “Matilda” where she starred as the Acrobat and was the dance captain. Cate was also the student choreographer last winter for CTA’s production of “Peter and the Starcatcher.” Cate says, “Through my involvement at CTA, I have grown to see the importance of contributing as a member of a healthy community. At CTA, I have developed lifelong friendships, and the supportive adult role models that surrounded me have forever bolstered my confidence. Since my first day at CTA, I have grown from a shy, timid girl into a young woman unafraid to take risks, lead others, and trust.” Cate will attend Towson University in the fall and plans to major in deaf studies.
CTA wishes our three Miriam Wolfe Scholarship winners all the best in their future endeavors in and out of the theatre!
Posted By Laura Tayman on MD Theatre Guide
The complexity of family dynamics, mixed in with an amazingly young and talented cast, and a historic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale makes for a fun and very entertaining “Once Upon a Mattress” production at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis this month.
Colorful costumes, effective sets, and beautiful harmonic lines from the well-rehearsed and animated ensemble make this show—a classic of Broadway over 50 years ago—still entertaining for all ages in 2023.
Set in the 15th century, the tale of “The Princess and the Pea” centers around a lonely prince who is searching for his princess. His mother, the Queen, is busily concocting a multitude of challenges to dismiss all of the candidates. The prince, skillfully played by CTA standout, Finn Hintermeister, grows from dutiful son to rebellious sweetheart.
Opening the show is the minstrel, ably played by Cai Malone, a lovely soprano who walks the audience through the familiar tale. The Queen, Rosalie Hess, then commands the stage from her first entrance with her loud, irritating and menacing voice and wearing elaborate, regal costumes (beautifully made by the costume committee with a fancy feather theme) that steals the show.
The first of the romantic couples in the story begins with Lady Larkin, ably played by Anna Porter, and Sir Harry, portrayed by CTA regular Ryan McCandless. Their song “In a Little While” captures the sweetness of their infatuation, followed by the shock and realization of the coming of a new baby and a need for a quick wedding.
The palace is upended by the unexpected arrival of another possible bride-to-be, Princess Winifred, a not-so-normal kind of princess who swims in moats, clomps around in raggedy dresses, and claims to be (at the top of her very large lungs) “Shy.” This plain-spoken, rule-breaking princess is played by the powerhouse voice of Mia Rinehart. Her endearing goofiness, un-ladylike behavior, and amazing vocal chops not only earns the love of Prince Dauntness, but the audience, too.
One of the breakout talents of the show is JJ Reida, the silent King Sextimus. He doesn’t speak throughout most of the show, but in musical numbers and comedic situations, his impressive dancing and miming move the plot forward to where he comes into his own voice and silences his wife’s over-the-top commanding control that has the audience cheering.
Other standouts include Matthew Earl as the Jester with his soft shoe inspired number “Quiet Shoes,” and the lovely “The Nightingale of Samarkand” brought by the queen to lure Winnifred to sleep with a beautiful, haunting melody sung by the young Harper Wright.
Director/Musical Director Terry Sweet Bouma notes, “The spark of belief that love can be found against all odds and despite many oddities makes this story worth telling again. It resonates in the same heartbeat where all fairy tales deliver a touch of magic.”
Colorful costumes, effective sets, and beautiful harmonic lines from the well-rehearsed and animated ensemble make this show—a classic of Broadway over 50 years ago—still entertaining for all ages in 2023.
Running Time: Two hour and 15 minutes with one intermission.
“Once Upon a Mattress” runs weekends through May 21, 2023 at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis,1661 Bay Head Rd, Annapolis, MD 21409. Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
CTA Presents Once Upon A Mattress
This rollicking spin on the classic tale ‘The Princess and the Pea’ provides some side-splitting shenanigans & beautiful songs.
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the Prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Would she be able to pass the Sensitivity Test, marry her prince and help Lady Larkin and Sir Harry to the altar?
Once Upon A Mattress features 27 local performers aged 9 to 17 years old. Mia Rinehart, of Annapolis, plays the title role of Winnifred and Finn Hintermister, of Annapolis, plays the Prince in search of a bride – Prince Dauntless. Additionally, Lady Larkin is played by Anna Porter and Sir Harry is played by Ryan McCandless and Rosalie Hess plays Queen Aggravain and JJ Reida plays King Sextimus.
Once Upon A Mattress is the last show in CTA’s 2022-2023 A Season of Stories. “Our Cast, Artistic team and Production staff have put together a beautiful show. An interpretation of the beloved tale, ‘The Princess and the Pea,’ this show is guaranteed to enchant, charm, and make you laugh.” said Michelle Bruno, CTA’s President of the Board.
Once Upon A Mattress opens on Friday, May 5, 2023, at CTA’s theatre, located at 1661 Bay Head Road, Annapolis. Performances will take place at 7 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays through May 21, 2023. Saturday, May 6 at 11:00 a.m. will be a Sensory-Friendly performance and will be American Sign Language (ASL)* interpreted. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students age 12 and under, seniors and military. Group discounts are available. Tickets can be purchased on CTA’s website.
To arrange interviews with the cast or artistic staff, contact April Forrer at aprilforrer@childrenstheatreofannapolis.org. If you are interested in reviewing the production, please contact us for up to two complimentary tickets.
Children’s Theatre of Annapolis (CTA) was established in 1959 and has grown to become a premiere theatre program in central Maryland. The 501(c)3 nonprofit organization mounts three mainstage productions each year and offers a variety of theatre arts education programming. For more information, visit www.childrenstheatreofannapolis.org.
“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” – Maya Angelou. I love this quote because it reminds me of the children I see shine on our stage and how theatre can enhance this light as they walk out our doors into the world. Especially the girls who will grow into strong women and we will celebrate them this month during National Women’s History Month, designated by Congress in 1987. Before this month was dedicated to women’s history, very few K-12 schools taught the important roles women played in our national history.
There have been many powerful and persuasive women in theatre and CTA is no exemption. In 1959, three talented and dedicated women, Jane Young Davis, Lydia Nolan and Martha Wright started CTA with the production of “Hansel and Gretel.” In 2018, CTA was proud to be the first children’s theatre in the region to win the prestigious Ruby Griffith Award for All-Around Production Excellence for its production of “Beauty and the Beast.” The following year, CTA was named Best Theatre Company in Annapolis in The Capital’s 2019 Readers Choice Awards, and in 2020, the theatre was awarded Best Nonprofit in Annapolis from What’s Up? Media.
We have grown so much since then and we plan to grow some more with our plans for our annex. CTA’s goal is to make the annex into an environmentally controlled 3 room building so our students will learn dancing, acting and music in a safe and warm building.
The largest new space will be a black box theatre that will seat 100+. This smaller theater space will allow more intimate shows to be performed and offered to CTA’s community. With this fully functioning theater space, CTA plans to open it up for other community groups to use, as CTA’s blackbox will be the only state-of-the-art one available for general rental in all of the Annapolis area. We also plan to increase our teen shows and workshops that work better in a smaller space.
Without historical strong foundations, CTA would not be as solid as it is today. Happy Women’s History Month!
Best,
April Forrer, Executive Director
