The story of

the Princess and the Pea is a familiar one. Southside Theatre Guild's

production of "Once Upon a Mattress" puts a twist on the classic

tale and delivers it with a blend of humor, music and romance.

Princess Winifred,

played by Louisa Grant, arrives at the castle of Queen Aggravain and King

Sextimus the Silent and declares herself a contender for the hand of Prince

Dauntless. The queen, played by Eileen Baldwin, has other ideas and sets

off to prove that Winifred is not a princess at all.

"Once

Upon a Mattress" was originally staged on Broadway in 1959 starring

Carol Burnett. There were two televised productions, one in 1964 and one

in 1972, and both starred Burnett.

Southside Theatre

Guild has several interesting connections to the show. Joanne Eberle,

one of the co-directors of this production, appeared in the professional

road show of "Once Upon a Mattress" which starred Imogene Coca

in 1960. "Once Upon a Mattress" was also the first musical that

Southside Theatre Guild ever staged. Marian Johnson, the other co-director

of this show, served as music director and pianist for that show in the

spring of 1976.

The production

of this show has been a family affair as husbands and wives, mothers and

sons, fathers and daughters and entire families are involved in the show.

Johnson's husband is a member of the chorus and has done the set construction.

Terry Hoffman who plays the king is joined by his wife, Celia, who is

the stage manager. Jonny May is the prince and his wife, Heather, is Princess

#12 as well as a member of the chorus and handler of props. Danny and

Debra Pratt are both members of the chorus. Jeremy Sage plays Sir Harry

in the show and Paula Saje, his mother, is in the chorus. Ed Burkhart

is a minstrel in the show and his daughter, Sarah, plays Lady Larken.

The cast also

features people from all over the area, including residents of Fairburn,

Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Palmetto, Newnan and Bremen among others.

"Once

Upon a Mattress" will be performed Thursdays through Saturdays, Apr.

18-May 11, at 8 p.m. at Southside Theatre Guild in Fairburn. Tickets are

$12 for adults and $10 for children on Fridays and Saturdays. All tickets

on Thursday are $10. Phone 770-969-0956.

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