Cantorial soloist Jordan Lawrence stars in her first leading role in ‘Once Upon a Mattress’
By ALAN SMASON, Exclusive to the CCJN
Hot on the heels of observing Purim with her congregational members earlier today, Congregation Gates of Prayer cantorial soloist Jordan Lawrence is preparing for a different kind of opening night tonight away from her synagogue, but with their blessings.
Jordan Lawrence, the cantorial soloist from Congregation Gates of Prayer, is Princess Fred in “Once Upon a Mattress.” (Photo courtesy Lawrence)
Instead of accompanying Senior Rabbi David Gerber on guitar and leading her congregation in Shabbat prayer at 6:15 p.m. as usual, Lawrence will be getting ready to apply makeup, get into her costume and take the Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts main stage for the very first time in a starring role.
Playing the iconic role of Princess Winnifred the Woebegone – “Fred” for short – she will be starring in “Once Upon a Mattress,” the musical by Mary Rodgers that launched the Broadway career of Carol Burnett. With lyrics by Marshall Barer and a book by Barer, Jay Thompson and Dean Fuller, “Once Upon a Mattress” is the musical retelling of “The Princess and the Pea” fairy tale.
This marks the sixth Rivertown production in which she has been a part. But the difference is this time she is not a featured performer; she is the star.
“I’m very excited,” she told the CCJN in an exclusive interview. “A lot of the congregants are getting their tickets and are very excited to come.”
Lawrence is playing opposite Mitchell Samuel Kogan as Prince Dauntless the Drab and it’s somewhat familiar territory for her. Previously, the two played Karen the Computer and Plankton in the Rivertown production of “SpongeBob SquarePants” and were love interests.
Tackling such an iconic role that has previously been played on Broadway by Burnett, Sarah Jessica Parker and most recently Sutton Foster, Lawrence is not very concerned. “I’m trying to bring Jordan to Fred,” she explained.
She thus approached taking on the character in her own way, but did her homework, too.
“I watched the Carol Burnett TV special,” she admitted. “She’s so iconic and she and she has that natural physical comedy and her expression. I’m really am trying not to copy her at all. I’m trying to bring my own character to the role.”
So, how would she describe her approach to the princess? “I was a little bit awkward, but very likable and sweet and really just very kind-hearted looking for someone, but kinda going about it in her own unique way,” she said. “She’s very different from everyone else, obviously.”
She also plays the quirky princess with excitement and optimism. “I like the comedy of it and I love the songs I get to sing,” she confessed.
This production is being directed by co-artistic director Gary Rucker, who has long recognized her talent and cast her in the five previous Rivertown productions. “I love working with everyone else,” she continued. “Everyone who’s in this show is so talented. Everything vocally (and) comedy-wise. It’s really been so great.”
“Once Upon a Mattress” opens tonight and runs through March 30. Tickets are available here or by calling 504-461-9475.
