By Kati Dann

As the second and final weekend of the school musical “Once Upon a Mattress” approaches, the cast prepares to end the show on a high note. In addition, the cast was working doubly hard for the understudy performance Feb. 27, which substituted the leads in the show with their understudies for one night.

Learning one role for a show is tough, but try learning the choreography, blocking, lines, and music for two roles. “It’s been a lot of work,” said junior Hallie Denman, who took on the role of Lady Larken for the understudy show. “We don’t get to rehearse as much as the actual leads do. It’s a lot of shadowing and taking notes.”

Considering the fact that the understudy show was only one night, much of the cast was “very nervous,” said freshman Jakob Bailey, who understudied for the part of Prince Dauntless. “We only get one night, so if we mess up we don’t have a chance to make up for it. But I’m really excited too.”

With every cast member working together to make both versions of the show great, the stress level can rise above the standard for any other performance. While one might suspect tensions to be running high among the cast, “the relationships are surprisingly strong,” said junior KJ Sheldon, who took on the role of Winifred in the understudy show. “We’re always there to help each other out and make sure each show is going to be the best it can.”

As for the show itself, “it’s really funny and entertaining,” Denman said.

Although the understudy show has come and gone, the musical runs through Friday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, March 1. Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults.