Art mimics life for Alison Peltz of San Anselmo, a busy physical therapist/Pilates practitioner and mother of two who moonlights on community stages whenever she can.
This summer Peltz swims the moat to meet her true love as Princess Winnifred the Woebegone in the Ross Valley Players’ musical production of “Once Upon A Mattress.” Meanwhile, she takes care of her clients and family and is studying to become a practicing member of the Jewish faith.
Peltz is used to multi-tasking.
“I was cast in my first major lead role two weeks before being accepted into college to study physical therapy. I did both, commuting between the University of the Pacific in Stockton and the Dean Lesher Theatre in Walnut Creek,” she said.
“Being a parent and an actress is hard. I couldn’t do it without my amazing ‘village,’ which includes my husband, mother, mother-in-law and local baby sitters. My husband helps by running lines prior to auditions. My daughters [Zoe, 7, and Kelsey, 4] and I sing the ‘Once Upon A Mattress’ songs to the CD.”
Her husband, Danny, is Jewish. The couple was married in the Jewish tradition, by a rabbi and under a chuppah, and they are raising their children in the Jewish faith.
“We belong to Congregation Rodef Sholom, where our kids attend Hebrew school. I once played Tzeitel in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and I make killer brisket,” said Peltz, who hails from a blue-collar, Italian-Irish immigrant family.
The Peltzes’ personal love match somewhat mimics the story line in “Once Upon A Mattress,” where Princess Winnifred (who hails from the swamps) travels to a neighboring kingdom to apply for the position of wife for the shy Prince Dauntless. The two fall in love, much to the dismay of Queen Aggravain, who tries to foil the impending “mixed” marriage in this musical version of “The Princess and the Pea.”
But fortunately for Peltz, she doesn’t have that kind of mother-in-law off stage.
Peltz graduated from Piedmont High School in Oakland and performed in productions there and with other East Bay companies before attending UCLA to study dance. She continued performing for audiences at UCLA and with a professional dance company in Los Angeles. After earning her degree she ventured to New York City and eventually landed a Broadway touring gig. The seven-month tour through Italy ended with Peltz and the rest of the company at the American embassy, after producers had breached their contracts.
After a time in Chicago, the couple eventually settled in Marin, where they could enjoy running, biking and hiking, and where Peltz has also found a thriving theatrical community, appearing in several key roles for North Bay companies.
“Once Upon A Mattress” runs through Aug. 21 at The Barn Theatre, Marin Art & Garden Center, Ross. Tickets: $10 for 12 and under (when accompanied by an adult); $20 for seniors and teens; $25 general. Information: (415) 456-9555 or www.rossvalleyplayers.com.