Once Upon a Mattress
My thoughts on Once Upon a Mattress or…they’re anything but “Shy”
The cast is huge. The songs soar. The dancing is fun, fast, and intricate. I think that Director Laura Alley, Music Director Devon Harper, and Choreographer Michelle Levall must be in communication with the spirits of Cecil B. DeMille and Busby Berkeley, as they have this “cast of thousands” (actually around 40) moving, singing, acting, and dancing with precision and make this semi-immersive production of Once Upon a Mattress, a retelling of “The Princess and the Pea” with music by Mary Rodgers and lyrics by Marshall Barer, great fun.
In a kingdom far away, a witch has cursed KIng Sextimus and made him mute. His harridan of a wife, Queen Aggravain, rules the kingdom and has decreed that her son, Prince Dauntless, may only marry a princess who can pass her unpassable tests and that no one else in the kingdom may marry until Prince Dauntless does. This puts the knight Sir Harry in a bit of a bind as he has impregnated Lady Larken. Sir Harry sets out to find a wife for Dauntless and finds the brash princess Winnifred the Woebegone who shakes up the kingdom and charms Dauntless. Cue the passing of the test, the breaking of the curse, and the happy ending.
This Mattress is stuffed with excellent performances. Christian Black as the minstrel narrates the story. The always amazing Black with his golden tones and charisma invites us into the kingdom and later becomes part of the story himself. The minstrel is usually accompanied by the Jester played Elijah Ponce, who is stage energy and appeal personified, and the secretive Wizard played by Michael Hammer. Hammer’s Wizard is arrogant and inscrutable yet able to be duped.
In the subplot involving Sir Harry and Lady Larken and their impending “blessed event,” Lorenzo Gapud and Katie Moyes Williams are sensational. Their duets “In a Little While” and “Yesterday I Loved You” are highlights of the show. This beyond talented duo could play these parts anywhere on any stage.
Shawn Patrello gets constant laughs with his unbelievably skillful miming as the silent King Sextimus. Patrello’s expressive face and constantly in motion arms and legs reminded me of the great silent era comedians. He’s that good.
The opposite of silence is Sherry Etzel as the demanding Queen Aggravain. Loud and domineering, Oueen Aggravain rules the kingdom, and as Aggravain, Sherry Etzel rules the stage. The petite Etzel is a comic giant. Whether on script or improving as she walks through the audience, we are her willing subjects captured by her wit, timing, and formidable stage prowess. Aggravain is a wonderfully wicked character and Etzel strikes comic gold portraying her.
Philip Slay makes an outstanding Prince Dauntless. Slay, an accomplished actor and singer, gives Dauntless a sense of reality. I admired his subtle acting choices that emphasized the youth of the character, and it was entertaining to watch him transition from a son dominated by his mother to being his own man and a man in love.
The object of that love is Princess Winnifred the Woebegone played by the irresistible KyLea Ingram. Ingram’s Winnifred is a moat swimming, song belting comic whiz. She’s medievally manic and oh so appealing. One can easily see why Dauntless falls for the redheaded, high-spirited Winnifred. She’s anything but “Shy” and Ingram wins our hearts along with the prince’s.
Knights and damsels are everywhere in this Once Upon a Mattress and the ensemble is as dynamic as it is large. Several members of the ensemble have appeared in leading and supporting roles throughout DFW and they give their singing and dancing best here. There’s even some sword play.
The production values are strong. The Wood Shop/Mike Carter’s two level set creates a castle that appears to be made of stone. Laura Alley’s costume design evokes medieval times, and I especially admired the black and white knights’ tunics. CJ Partin keeps the sound clear and Josh Hensley’s lighting design highlights the actors as they perform on stage and often in the audience.
This was the first production of Once Upon a Mattress I have seen other than a middle school production years ago and the creative team and cast made this tale of medieval mayhem and romance an absolute joy. Don’t be “Shy” about getting a ticket.
