Once Upon a Mattress

Winnifred the Woebegone is just a simple swamp princess looking to win the heart of Prince Dauntless. But can she pass the impossible test Queen Aggravain has in store for her?

Many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Will she be able to pass the Sensitivity Test, marry her prince and help Lady Larkin and Sir Harry to the altar? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the classic tale The Princess and the Pea provides some side-splitting shenanigans. For after all, a princess is a delicate thing.

The Theatre Factory’s production of Once Upon a Mattress features Zach Burkovich (Knight #1), Courtney Cambal (Emily), Joe Cannito (The Wizard), Kaitlin Cliber (Princess No. 12/Kitchen Wench), Matt Dudley (Prince Dauntless), Brandon Farneth (Sir Luce/Knight #3), Pamela Farneth (Queen Aggravain), Emma Heinbaugh (Lady Merrill/Nightingale), Jonathan Charles Heinbaugh (Knight #2), Sophie Hoglund-McGuirk (Lady Lucille), Minnie Jones (Lady Rowena), Nicole Rae Jones (Jester), Emily Kane (Lady Mabelle), Travis Miller (Sir Studley), Paulina Neuschwander (Princess Winnifred), Frankie Shoup (King Sextimus the Silent), Claire Ivy Stoller (The Minstrel), Erik Thompson (Sir Harry), and Randi D. Walker (Lady Larken).

Once Upon a Mattress is directed by Matt Mlynarski. The production’s music director is Jeanne Kane, with choreography by Laura Wurzell. The assistant director is Robbi Walker, and the stage manager is Alissa Little-Keebler.

Once Upon a Mattress runs for two weekends at The Theatre Factory in Trafford (235 Cavitt Ave.): Friday through Sunday, July 21-23, and Thursday through Saturday, July 27-29. Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are at 7:30 pm, and the Sunday matinee is at 2:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased at www.thetheatrefactory.org.