Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily TimesQueen Rowena (played by Gabbie Bradford, center) addresses Lizze and Oldma (Kaitlyn Allbritton, Faith James) as Prince Robert (Dalton Bell) watches and the Baker (Jeff Yochum) reads The Valdosta Daily Times in the Gingerbread Players of Theatre Guild Valdosta production of 'The Real Princess and the Pea' opening this weekend.

VALDOSTA, Ga. — Playing the lead of Lizzie in “The Real Princess and the Pea” will be the last Gingerbread Players play for Kaitlyn Allbritton.

She said the children’s production of Theatre Guild Valdosta will be her last, having recently graduated from her home-school studies and planning to attend Faulkner University, a Christian university in Montgomery, Ala., in the fall.

Given Allbritton has performed in numerous Gingerbread Players of TGV and Little Actors Theatre productions, one may think she plans to study theatre while at Faulkner. She does not. Allbritton said she plans to study criminal justice to become a police officer.

So, “The Real Princess and the Pea” just might be her last show anywhere.

But not for her mom.

Though Kaitlyn may be finished with the stage, Lois Allbritton said she plans to keep directing and participating in Gingerbread Players shows.

Lois Allbritton is the director of “The Real Princess and the Pea.”

She leads 44 children ranging in ages from 6 years old to 18 in this retelling of the well-known fairy tale.

The Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale has been adapted by playwright Anita Larsen. 

Gingerbread Players synopsis: “No one knows more about the dreary life of being a servant than orphaned Lizzie, the maid at Madame Bombazine’s Royal Academy of Royalty. At the beck and call of the shallow student princesses and the bullying Madame Bombazine, Lizzie’s cheery personality defies her dismal life, but makes her a favorite of all the shopkeepers. Then grandmotherly Oldma steps in with a little magic. When shy Prince Robert comes along, Oldma wisely steps aside to allow the magic of love to smooth a course confused by the power of a small green vegetable — the pea. Once a cause of irritation under multiple mattresses, now the pea has become a royal allergen. Around peas, some royals sneeze while others expire. Forget all you ever thought you knew about princesses and peas.” 

Lois Allbritton is assisted by Kaitlyn Allbritton, who is an assistant director as well as Lizzie.

Dian Candelario is also an assistant director. He is a former Gingerbread Player regular, back in town for the summer. He has been away, attending college where he said he’s studying to be a meteorologist. He returned to town in early May and has been helping with the production since.

Abby Cozart is also back from college working as stage manager with Gingerbread Players.

With so much stage assistance from former members returning from school, “The Real Princess and the Pea” may not be Kaitlyn Allbritton’s last show after all.

THE CAST: Kaitlyn Allbritton, Ella Barrett, Lauren Greer, Keely Hansen, Mackenzie Braswell, Alexis Walker, Anna Cozart, Amelia Covington, Abigail Musgrove, Sarah Grace Puckett, Addison Walker, Delaney Yochum, Annabelle Hall, Jeff Yochum, Mia-Rae Barajas, Jacks Dean, Carter McGhin, Lydia Barnes, Aiden Brownell, Layla Westbrook, Meagan Ritter, Rylee Hill, Samantha D’Amico, Lyam Girdwood Schlachter, Tanner Hager, Faith James, Mia Betlow, Ava Grace Bradford, Madison Booth, Stella Cofield, Addison Grace French, Olivia McGhin, Dalton Bell, Gabbie Bradford, Charlee McGuire, Lilly Davis, Mackenzi Cole, Zayn Covington, Miriam Dennis, Neela Megow, Sadie Covington, David Dennis, Souad Dennis, Audrey Thompson.  

DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Lois Allbritton, director; Kaitlyn Allbritton, Dian Candelario, assistant directors; Abby Cozart, stage manager; Harley Hogan, costumes; Ariana Francis, sound; Parker Allbritton, tech supervisor; Bryce Girdwood Schlachter, Joseph Betlow, lights. 

SHOWTIME

Gingerbread Players of Theatre Guild Valdosta presents “The Real Princess and the Pea.”

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 1, 2; 3 p.m. Sunday, June 3; 7:30 p.m., June 8, 9; 3 p.m., June 10.

Where: The Dosta Playhouse, 122 N. Ashley St.

Tickets: $10, adult; $8, child.