'Once Upon a Mattress' offers rollicking fun
(Courtesy photo) Cast members from “Once Upon a Mattress” rehearse a scene from the musical. Pictured are Saharah Chalupny as Queen Aggravain and Devin Fredericks as The Jester, with Zane Rasor as King Sextimus the Silent and Alexander Riach as the Wizard looking on.
Hear Ye, Hear Ye — Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s “Once Upon a Mattress” is coming to Sandpoint.
Director Jeannie Hunter and musical director Jon Brownell of Growing Dreams Productions, Inc, and choreographer Laurie Buck of Studio 1 Dance Academy have teamed up with The Panida Theater this year to bring you this rollicking family show. Those of you who have seen Growing Dreams collaborations in the past know this show is a definite must-see. Costume director Angie Aller and her Dream Seam Team are once again outdoing themselves, prepare to be amazed and delighted.
Reviewers have this to say about this zany musical: “If you thought you knew the story of the Princess and the Pea, you are in for a walloping surprise.”
Did you know that Princess Winnifred actually swam the moat to reach Prince Dauntless the Drab? Or that Lady Larken’s love for Sir Harry provided a rather compelling reason that she reach the bridal altar post haste? Or that, in fact, it wasn’t the pea at all that caused the princess a sleepless night? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the familiar classic of royal courtship and comeuppance provides for some side-splitting shenanigans. Chances are you’ll never look at fairy tales quite the same way again.
The show highlights local favorites and a few new faces such as Riley Anderson, Saharah Chalupny, Alexander Riach, Hope Ambridge, Burton Anderson, Zane Rasor, Devin Fredericks, Renee York, Tristan Authier, Bob Stevens, Jasmine Mearns, and Zoe Miller. There will be plenty of dancing and singing and surprising plot twists in this rendition of the classic tale of the Princess and the Pea.
There are two special shows planned during the run — Student Night on Thursday, March 16, and the family show during the March 18 matinee showing.
Student night tickets are discounted for all students 18 and under with ASB card.
The family show is sponsored by Dr. Joseph Johnson and Aspire Dental in Ponderay and will feature extra fun events and photo opportunities with the cast on stage for your favorite princess, prince, lady or knight. Children 12 and under will enjoy $10 tickets for this show.
“Once Upon A Mattress” will be presented at the Panida at 7 p.m. March 10-11, and March 16, 17 and 18. A matinee will be held at 2 p.m. on March 18. Tickets can be purchased from cast and crew, on the Panida’s website (panida.org/event/once-upon-a-mattress-musical-theater) and via email at growingcreamsproductions@gmail.com. Tickets are $15 each.