Robert D. Wilson Elementary School to hold Read Across America Night

Kids of all ages can enjoy a night of entertainment to include the reading of children’s books, performances from the upcoming Western Wayne Drama Club’s production of Once Upon a Mattress, and even a performance by local magician David Black.

          Western Wayne’s Robert D. Wilson Elementary School PTA will host Read Across America Night on Thursday, March 5, beginning at 4:45 p.m. The event is free of charge to the public.  There will be tours of the RDW building and opportunities to stop in classrooms to hear stories read by RDW staff and friends from 4:45 until 5:30 p.m. 

          In addition, concessions will be available for purchase from 5:30 to 6 p.m.  At 6 p.m. Western Wayne Drama Club students will perform excerpts from their upcoming spring show Once Upon a Mattress with performance dates set for April 17, 18, and 19.  The musical is the classic story of the princess and the pea. 

          Senior Sydney Peet plays Queen Aggravain in the show.  Her character is determined to keep her son Prince Dauntless, played by senior Honour Shaffer, from marrying an unsuitable bride.  Sydney has really been enjoying playing the role of the queen who is quite out spoken.

          “I enjoy playing a character who is set in what she wants and not afraid to get her point across,”   Sydney, who is playing her third role in a Western Wayne musical and has played various roles in community theater, said.  “I hope the audience likes our performance of “Sensitivity.”  This is the queen’s solo in which she tries to come up with an unfair way to test the new princess in the kingdom suing for her son’s hand in marriage.”

          “Sensitivity” is just one song from Once Upon a Mattress to be performed at Read Across America Night.

          Another Western Wayne senior who is excited to perform is Sydney’s costar Honour Shaffer.  Honour looks forward to performing in “The Swamps of Home” at Read Across America.

          “I really think the audience will find this number entertaining because the princess tells a story about growing up in an unconventional swamp kingdom that she and everyone else on stage comes to find fascinating,” Honour, who is playing his fourth role in a Western Wayne musical, explained.

          Senior Andie Solimine plays the role of Princess Winnifred.  She feels very happy to be playing a lead role for her senior year having been in two musicals prior to this one at Western Wayne.

          “I love to sing, act, and dance,” Andie said.  “I really look forward to sharing what we have been practicing each day with the community.”

          The final act of the evening will be a performance by local magician David Black at 6:30 p.m.

          The RDW PTA, cast of Once Upon a Mattress, and everyone involved in Read Across America Night encourage the public to attend this fun event for kids of all ages.

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