Barbara Lawlor, Nederland.

After an opening weekend, with four shows under their belt, the Nederland Middle Senior High School Theater Department is as good as it gets and is ready to entertain the community again this weekend.

This spring’s musical, Once Upon a Mattress, was presented Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, with a Saturday matinee, and will be performed this coming Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 1 p.m.

This show is sheer fun, a talented cast clad in elaborate costumes brings to a life the far-fetched fairy tale of a sensitive princess, complete with a surprise ending. As the cast becomes their characters, each performance becomes richer, bolder and funnier than the persona they held in the opening show. An audience always lets the actors know what works.

Each of the main characters has an opportunity to shine, each has a moment that shows what they are capable of. Hadley Zotti as the minstrel earnestly plays her role as one of the caretakers of the king, who, being mute and besotted with pretty young things, needs to be watched.

Hayley Turner as the Jester portrays a dancer/comedian with a depth of feeling that is seen in her powerful solo, “Very Soft Shoes.” Hayley has been a solid member of the

NMSHS theater Department since she was in middle school and can play any part she chooses to.

As Princess Winnifred, Sydney Mayhew finds her voice as well as a defined grit that enables her to own the part of the “swamp girl,” tough around the edges with an honesty and integrity that shines through the algae that hangs from her shoulders.

Jamie Lammers always has a twist to his characters, and his part of the Wizard allows him to bring a gruff wisdom to the long-bearded, pointed hat part.

As Lady Larken, Mazie Pancoast plays opposite William Culver as Sir Harry, the lovers sharing some of the romantic moments in the show. Pancoast and Culver’s voices blend in smooth harmony and they are a joy to watch.

Veteran performer on the Ned stage, Sasha Godsil, plays Queen Aggravain and never breaks character as the haughty, domineering, controlling mother, Queen and wife.

Godsil is always spot on and has the voice of an angel.

The show stealer in almost every scene is Ellie Brewer, who plays King Sextimus, a fairly demented, mute, bouncy and indignant character. Brewer is excruciatingly expressive as she conveys the frustration that the king feels in having to use body language to explain what he is trying to say.

One of the funniest scenes is when Sextimus attempts to explain the Birds and Bees to his son Prince Dauntless, played by Townes Bakke. Dauntless is naive and a little dense and Sextimus is determined to educate him in the ways of women and the two play off of each other perfectly.

Skylar Abookire has a cameo performance as the nightingale who serenades Winnifred. Abookire has a clear, sweet voice that gets a cheer from the audience when she finishes her song.

The ladies Rowena, Merrill and Lucielle played by Marguerite Bradley, Meagan Figgins and Hattie Bakke are the chorus, the gossips and the elegantly costumed characters that bob in and out of the action.

The ensemble numbers are spectacular highlighting the talented voices that make up the school’s choirs. The techies do a great job of seamlessly switching sets.

This year’s spring musical is a romantic, uplifting, slice of fun available to the community. Senior citizens are free, and the music is sure to go home with them, humming around in their memory.