Latest OHS Production Is a Rollicking Good Time

's production of Once Upon a Mattress is a gigantic, fun-filled time for everyone.

The musical which premiered in 1959, is a favorite with high schools and community groups across America. This campy retelling of the Princess and the Pea story brings the fairytale to life with just enough twists and turns to keep the audience laughing. OHS's production breaths life into the classic story with charming singers, elegant dancers and talented actors.

Most people remember the bare bones of the story from childhood. The potential bride must prover herself a real princess by passing a test. A hard, dried pea is placed underneath a mattress which is at the bottom of a stack of 20. The princess, who is ignorant of the presence of the pea, tries to sleep. If she sleeps easily without noticing the pea, she is NOT a real princess and therefore unworthy to be the bride of the prince.

Once Upon a Mattress adds many new elements to the story. The 'pea test' is only the latest of 12 other tests devised by the bossy and protective Queen Aggravain to prevent her precious son from marrying someone unworthy. The musical provides a king cursed to silence and his three allies – the minstrel and two court jesters.

The law of the land decrees that no one can marry until the prince does, so the whole kingdom is waiting with baited breath for an acceptable princess to be found. No one is awaiting an acceptable princess more anxiously than the 'in trouble' Lady Larkin and her gallant, but dim-witted boyfriend, Sir Harry. Determined to find a princess, Sir Harry ventures into unknown lands to find new candidates. He returns with the best surprise yet – the spectacular Princess Winnifred.

Played by Cara Collins, Winnifred (Fred for short) is no distressed damsel. She is a new kind of fairytale princess who is independent, strong willed and unconventional. The role was pioneered by Carol Burnett and was her Broadway debut. Collins' performance is a tribute to the great 20th century comedian while at the same time bringing Collins' own flair to the role's campy lines and physical humor.

Fred's outrageous behavior and kind heart wins over everyone except the Queen. She leads the entire cast in a dance montage of modern music during the show-stopping party scene. In Act II, she wows the audience and wins their hearts with her solo performance, “Happily Ever After.”

In addition to Collins' performance, OHS's production is filled with strong lead actors and a talented chorus which carries the show with ease.

Queen Aggravain, played by Maggie Brawner, dominates the show as the dominating wife and mother. Brawner's larger-than-life performance and flamboyant style sets her firmly in the footsteps of the divine Bette Midler. Bobby Taves plays Prince Dauntless as everything a prince should be. He is sweet, funny and, above all, charming. The character of King Sextimus is a silent skirt-chaser plainly based on Harpo Marx. Ben Brawner plays the king with impeccable comic flair and perfect timing.

Once Upon A Mattress abounds with humorous side-kicks. The Queen is assisted by the sly, yet bumbling wizard played by Shaun O'Hara. The King's side-kicks include the Minstrel (Natalie Thompson) and the Jesters (Melissa Claussen and Daniel Lozoya).

The four form a comic quartet that keeps the audience rolling in the aisle. Last but not least among the lead players are Lady Larkin and Sir Harry (Angela Senkpeil and Drew Tadych). The couple enchants the audience with the sweetness and sincerity of their love.

Once Upon a Mattress is the type of campy, slapstick show that can easily be over done. It calls for just the mix of humor and seriousness on the part of the cast. OHS's production gets it just right. They easily bring the audience with them into the fairytale world because they are completely in the world themselves.

Every actor is completely in character and acts, sings and dances through the show with sincerity and professionalism. The only thing missing from the show is slightly better diction on the part of the speaking cast members. Microphones do make the actors louder, but the lines still must be spoken clearly. However, that is a minor problem at most.

Despite that one flaw, the show is an exciting, fun-filled production. It is a delightful story with exciting music and clever plot twists with which the cast does a fantastic job. The key to the play's success is that the cast is obviously having a blast and that allows the audience to have one, too.

Two shows remain for Once Upon a Mattress—Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.—in the OHS auditorium.