The only thing I know about the 1960 Tony-nominated musical
Once Upon a Mattress is that it was Carol Burnett's Broadway debut. I've never seen a production of it... until last weekend at Lakeshore Players Theatre. It's a weird and wacky show for sure, but I found it to be a lot of fun. And maybe also ahead of its time in its depiction of a princess who isn't the typically demure and obedient type, but rather one who is brash and strong and decidedly unladylike. This production leans into the weird and wackiness, with a fantastic cast (that's mostly new-to-me) singing and dancing and performing their hearts out.
Once Upon a Mattress continues at the Hanifl Performing Arts Center in White Bear Lake weekends through May 17.
The musical is loosely based on Hans Christian Anderson's story The Princess and the Pea, in which a potential bride for the prince is tested by having her sleep on a bed with 20 mattresses, a pea placed under the bottom one. Because only a true princess could detect the hard pea under all that fluff (sure, that makes sense). In this version of the story, the prince's mother is very invested in whom he marries, and creates all sorts of impossible tests for his potential brides. She's also declared that no one else in the realm can marry until the price marries, putting the Lady Larkin in a difficult position when she finds herself pregnant and unable to marry her love Sir Harry. So Harry goes on a quest to find a bride for the prince, and comes back with Winnifred, whom the price and everyone in the kingdom immediately loves. But the queen thinks no one is good enough for her boy, so she gives Winnifred the hardest test of all, and is shocked when she passes. And like in all fairy tales, everyone lives happily ever after.
 |
| the cast of Once Upon a Mattress (photo by Fred Sobottka) |
#TCTheater actor/ director/ designer/
theater owner/ et al Eric Morris directs the piece and infuses it with a zany energy, with which the large and talented cast complies. There are references to pop music, probably more than I identified, including the minstrel that begins the show at the piano like Elton John (a fabulous Devin Dolquist, who also jumps into the band to play clarinet), the mute Elvis-impersonator King (a hilariously miming Chris Klekamp), and a '90s boy band chorus. Sophie La Fave is a revelation as Winnifred - confident and funny, embodying all of Fred's brash bold qualities, with a great voice. Maya Vagle is a hoot and a half as the overprotective mother of a Queen, I almost felt bad for her when she was bested in the end. Other highlights include Nick Richard as the sweet and docile Prince Dauntless, Lizzie Stuebs as the sweet-singing Lady Larkin, and Thomas Friebe as her arrogant Sir Harry. But the entire cast is great, with lots of physical comedy, props comedy, and goofy little bits, throwing themselves into the fun, playful, and modern choreography by Annika Isbell.
 |
| the cast of Once Upon a Mattress (photo by Fred Sobottka) |
The glitzy and impressive set puts the seven-piece orchestra, led by music director Jack Johnston on keys, at center stage, as they should be, playing this really fun score composed by Mary Rodgers (daughter of Richard Rodgers of Rodgers and Hammerstein, and mother of composer/lyricist
Adam Guettel). Staircases lead to the elevated walkway above them, one of which spins around to reveal the stack of mattresses for the final scene. A platform, piano, and trunk are also rolled around by the ensemble, always in character, and a gauzy red curtain is occasionally pulled across the stage to create some shadow effects. The costumes are an eye-popping, if at times perplexing, mix of princess dresses, show girl outfits, and casual modern wear. (Scenic design by Justin Hooper, costume design by Sarah Christenson.)
Once Upon a Mattress is a fun and silly musical that turns the traditional fairy tale on its head. Winnifred shows us that princesses can be strong, princesses can burp in public, princesses can choose their own future.
