Once Upon a Mattress
Music by Mary Rodgers
Directed by Cameron Byerly
Music Directed by Noël Edmonson
Produced by Stand Performing Arts, Keller, Texas
Lyrics by Marshall Barer
Audience rating: PG-13
Running time: 140 minutes (including 15 minute intermission)
Accessible seating: Available
Hearing devices: Not available
Sensory friendly: Not available
ASL showing: March 21st only
Sound level: Comfortable
Noises or visuals to prepare for: None
Reviewed by Stacey L. Simpson
Directed by Cameron Byerly, this musical retelling of the classic Hans Christian Andersen story The Princess and the Pea is vibrant, hilarious, and heartwarming.
Once Upon a Mattress is a fairytale story that takes place in a tiny kingdom ruled by the overbearing Queen Aggravain (Faith Hope) and her silent (but nonetheless expressive) husband, King Sextimus (J. Renee Carlson). Due to a royal decree, no one in the kingdom may marry until Prince Dauntless (Daniel Muka) finds a "true" princess to marry. Everyone in the kingdom (well, except the Queen) is naturally quite invested in helping to find such a princess, most of all brave Sir Harry (Benjamin Perkinson), who desperately wishes to marry his lady love, the beauteous Lady Larken (Payton Elizabeth). Many young ladies from around the neighboring kingdoms have tried and failed the Queen’s famously difficult princess tests. So Harry sets off on a quest to scour the swamplands of the northern kingdom to find Dauntless a quality princess.
Enter Princess Winnifred the Woebegone (Payton Surles)—or "Fred" to her friends—who arrives at the castle not in a carriage drawn by white horses, but by swimming the moat. What follows is the latest in a series of impossible tests designed by the Queen to ensure Fred fails, set against a backdrop of courtly romance and a variety of comedic schemes.
The production features strong and funny lead players. Surles as Fred brings a refreshing, rowdy energy to the role that perfectly contrasts with the endearing and slightly dim innocence of Muka’s Prince Dauntless. Surles executes her introductory number “Shy” confidently and showcases a comfortably loud, high belt that fits this song nicely. Hope is wonderfully wicked as the harridan Queen Aggravain, showcasing her booming voice and regal bearing. Carlson was hilarious in a non-speaking/non-singing role as King Sextimus. The second act duet in which the King has a birds-and-bees “talk” with young Dauntless through pantomime was a delight. In their yearning lovers’ subplot, Perkinson as Sir Harry and Elizabeth as Lady Larken sang beautifully in the memorable numbers “In a Little While” and “Yesterday I Loved You.”
Abby Ware as the Minstrel narrates the story and engages in various schemes with the mischievous Jester, played charmingly by Ryleigh Andersen. Denise Jasper plays the mysterious Wizard, who grimly carries out the Queen’s will but is not above being influenced by a bit of flattery.
It’s rare to see an ensemble (featuring Cait Perkinson, Ben Perkinson, Kristian Duff, Abby Ware, Anna Williams, Shannon Lane, Denise Jasper, Natalie Stamper, Hannah Loving, Connie George, Payton Surles, Tamara Hayes, Jessie Beebe, and Kaitlin Vidal) with this much consistent energy. Whether they are chasing each other around during scene transitions, performing the frantic choreography of "The Spanish Panic," or filling the stage during large choral numbers, the group’s enthusiasm is infectious. Music Director Noël Edmonson ensures that the ensemble is balanced, rhythmically precise, and easily understood.
As always, Stand uses its unusually configured space to its best advantage and brings the audience in on the fun. The action takes place in the round on a platform stage with various levels, surrounded on three sides by the audience. This arrangement, conceived by Set Designer Michael Dimsdle, provides plenty of room for the large cast to perform the energetic choreography by Sarah Bowden and creates a variety of entrances and exits with which Director Byerly keeps the action interesting and dynamic. The colorful costumes by Cathryn D'Amore capture the whimsical, "storybook-come-to-life" feel of the production.
Under Byerly’s direction, Stand Performing Arts has crafted an irresistible show that is witty and charming. Runs through March 29th, tickets at standperformingarts.org/performances/once-upon-a-mattress
On with the show!
Stacey L. Simpson
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