Foothills Community Theatre Presents "Once Upon a Mattress"

Performances Friday through Sunday at East Junior High Auditorium

Credit: Photo by Peggy Rowe/news@mcdowellnews.com

Allyson Greene and Nathan Bennett appear in "Once Upon a Mattress."

By: From Staff Reports | McDowell News
Published: November 19, 2008

Foothills Community Theatre has a treat in store for audiences attending the live performances this weekend of "Once Upon a Mattress," which is based on the story of "The Princess and the Pea."
"If you thought you knew the story of 'The Princess and The Pea,'" says a Rodgers and Hammerstein Web site, "you may be in for a walloping surprise! Did you know, for instance, that Princess Winnifred actually swam the moat to reach Prince Dauntless the Drab?
"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."
Directed by Keeley Duckworth, the local production of "Once Upon a Mattress" is based on a book written by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer and includes a cast and crew of 70 local folks whose songs and antics are bound to keep you smiling throughout the performance.
Full of actors of all ages, the play is led by veteran performers Bruce Brown as King Sextimus The Silent, Allyson Greene as Queen Aggravain, Jeff Duckworth as Prince Dauntless and Barbara Acree as Princess Winnifred.
Adam Lockemy directs the music written by Mary Rodgers; Lucy Fresnia is the vocal director for Marshall Barer's lyrics; and Susan Grant directs the choreography in this happy musical comedy.
Performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at East McDowell Junior High School on State Street.
Tickets can be purchased at $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $6 for students by calling 659-PLAY.