Fairy Tale Hits the Funny Bone with "Mattress"

We all grew up with it. That saccharine fairy tale of the frail, beautiful princess that won her prince when she detected a pea hidden under a stack of 20 mattresses.

The Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company is about to fracture that little story. And you'll be plenty glad they did.

WNMTC will present Mary Rodgers sidesplitting comedy, Once Upon a Mattress, at the Carson City Community Center in seven performances, weekends, September 24 through October 3.

In the Broadway musical that shot Carol Burnett to stardom, Princess Winnifred is a hardy, likable, weight-lifting gal that swims the moat to win her Mama's-boy beau, Prince Dauntless. The domineering, possessive queen is determined to disqualify all contenders for her son, while refusing to let anyone in the kingdom marry until Dauntless finds a bride. When the knights and ladies learn about the queen's scheme with the mattresses and the pea, they devise a scheme of their own to be certain the princess wins her man.

The New York News said the show was "as fresh, inventive and funny as ever...Once Upon a Mattress shows you can retell fairy tales with wit and sophistication, and, more important, human feeling." Carried on a wave of humorous and melodic songs written by Mary Rodgers, daughter of Richard Rodgers, the show is a rollicking spin on the classic tales of royal courtship.

Playing Winnifred in the WNMTC production is Stephanie Dixon, best known to local audiences as Mabel in Pajama Game. Christopher Willson, who played the Tinman in The Wizard of Oz, plays Prince Dauntless. Hannah Freeman and Leoney Berg play Lady Larken and Sir Harry. Dawn Murphy and Dave Tillit face off as the queen and king, entertained by Patrick Hardy (the Wizard) and Marcus Quiroga (the Jester.) Jim DeZerga plays the traveling minstrel who narrates the show.

Some 40 singers and dancers complete the cast, accompanied by a live orchestra. Stephanie Arrigotti produces and directs the show, Gina Kaskie-Davis is the choreographer, and Bob Grant conducts the orchestra.

Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., September 24 through October 3. There is also a 2:00 Saturday matinee on October 2.

Admission is $14 general, $12 for students and seniors and $10 for youth 17 and younger. Block discounts are available for groups of 20 or more. Tickets are available at Comma Coffee, 312 South Carson Street, Maytan Music on South Center Street in Reno, and the Western Nevada Community College Performing Arts Office on the Carson City campus. They may also be purchased by phone by calling 775-445-4249.