A modern take on an old fairy tale: RCC presents “Once Upon a Mattress”
Published 7:33 am Wednesday, November 20, 2019
- Blythe Johnson, as a Princes No. 12, rehearses a scene from “Once Upon a Mattress” Tuesday night at Frank W. Bridges Theatre. Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
If you thought you knew the story of “The Princess and The Pea,” you may be in for a walloping surprise!
Riverland Community College Theatre opens its second show of the season with a fresh take on the classic Broadway musical “Once Upon a Mattress.”
This modern interpretation not only puts a twist on the well-known fairy tale, but also brings a new perspective to the classic musical comedy. Prince Dauntless hasn’t had any luck finding a bride, until along comes the unconventional Princess Winnifred—but can she pass the test?
Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking story 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.
“Once Upon a Mattress” features music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, and a book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer.
Morgan Dickman, as the Minstral, sings the opening number during rehearsal for “Once Upon a Mattress” Tuesday night at Frank W. Bridges Theatre.
“’Once Upon a Mattress’ is a classic golden age musical comedy with charming, hummable songs and a strong female heroine,” said director Lindsey Duoos Williams. “We wanted to celebrate everything that makes this show a perennial favorite while modernizing some of the more dated viewpoints in the story. Our show is set in the late 1950s in Buckingham Palace, at a time when the royal traditions were beginning to clash with modern culture. In comes Princess Winnifred, a princess unlike any that has ever married into the royal family before, and suddenly everyone in the palace is forced to reckon with what makes a genuine princess. While we’ve taken inspiration from several real-life royal family members and their lives, the show is still pure silly, fairy tale fun.”
“We have an exceptionally talented cast,” Williams added. “Two of our leads, Princess Winnifred and Prince Dauntless, are both recent high school graduates: Chloe Guttormson from Austin and Kyle Nelson from Albert Lea. It’s exciting when we have new students ready to take on challenging roles like these right out of the gate.”
Some material may not be suitable for young children.
“Once Upon a Mattress” will be performed at 7 p.m. Nov. 20-23 and 2 p.m. Nov. 24. All shows will be held in the Frank W. Bridges Theatre on Riverland’s Austin Campus.
Individual tickets are $16 and currently on sale at www.riverland.edu/tickets. Tickets may also be purchased at the Riverland Box Office, located in room E107 in the East Building of the Austin campus, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and one hour before performances. Riverland students receive two free tickets to each performance with a valid student ID. Contact the box office at 507-433-0595 or by emailing boxoffice@riverland.edu.
Kyle Nelson, as Prince Dauntless, laments not being able to marry during rehearsal for the Riverland Theatre production of “Once Upon a Mattress.”
Cast
- Paulina Aguirre Quijano – Wizard
- Brianna Ahlbrecht – Lady Lucille
- Yasmin Bacelar de Souza – Lady Beatrice
- Carrie Braaten – Queen Aggravain
- Nikolai Brinda – Sir Louis
- Jon Cochran – King Sextimus
- Morgan Dickman – Minstrel
- KariLynn Finley-Cook – Lady Charlotte
- Emily Funke – Lady Helena
- Chloe Guttormson – Princess Winnifred
- Austin Hodnefield – Sir Luce
- Katie Hunerdosse – Lady Mabelle
- Anthony Jax – Sir George
- Blythe Johnson – Princess No. 12
- Katie Lillemon – Lady Merrill
- Anders Nelson – Sir Harry
- Kyle Nelson – Prince Dauntless
- Kaye Perry – Jester
- Mike Petersen – Sir Studley
- Oscar Quintero – Sir Archie
- Faith Rautenkranz – Lady Rowena
- Noelan Riley – Sir Harald
- Misha Stanley – Lady Larken
Crew
- Lindsey Duoos Williams – Director
- Marny Rohr – Choreographer
- Amalie Niethammer – Musical Director
- John Deyo – Set and Sound Designer
- Madlain Vander – Costumes
- Jennifer Wiebrand – Stage Manager
- Audrey Kristufek – Accompaniment
