If you think you know the story of the "Princess and the Pea," you're in for a real surprise. "Once Upon A Mattress" is a musical comedy delight for the whole family. This weekend, Whitewater High School presents their take on this royal farce. With a rousing score of great songs including "In A Little While," "I'm Shy," "Daddy's Very Soft Shoes," and "I'm In Love With A Girl Called Fred," the comic retelling of the Hans Christian Anderson children's story springs to life in a flood of musical whimsy.

Woven into the main story of a princess'test of authenticity, several subplots involving a mute king under a curse, a soft shoe tap dancing jester, and a wizard who really just wants to do stage magic complicate an already preposterous premise.

The lives of all of the people in this eccentric castle and most especially, Prince Dauntless the Drab, (Drew Sellers) are dramatically changed when young Princess Winefred the Woebegone (Stephanie Grant) arrives soaked to the skin. Princess Winifred is not at all your classic storybook princess as the court finds out. The princess announces that she is seeking the hand of the prince to marry since she heard the country had an "Opening For A Princess."

Alas, the course of true love is never easy, and was never made more difficult than by the plotting and machinations of the prince's mother, Queen Aggravain (Jennifer Holcomb). The queen is convinced that the princess, like all the other princesses before her, is unworthy to marry her son. To prove that Princess Winifred lacks the necessary royal credentials the queen will put the poor girl to an unknown test. Before that can happen, all must attend a ball!

The whole court swirls and cavorts to the dance craze sweeping all of Europe - The Spanish Panic! Prancing and leaping along with teh court are King Sextimus (Evan Barron), Lady Larkin (Laura Musselman), Sir Harry (Matt Fralick), Jester (Chauncy Easley), and the Minstrel who narrates the story (Anna Gunter).

"Once Upon a Mattress," directed by Angie Owen, was originally written by Mary Rodgers, the daughter of Richard Rodgers, and Marshall Barer as part of an adult summer camp. The original one-act version was so well-received that they decided to expand it into a full-length musical.The book for the musical is by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Barer, who also wrote the lyrics, with the music by Rogers.

Come enjoy the heraldry of a 15th century castle and all of the regalia and pageantry of high gothic costumes in this funny, sweet and moving fractured fairytale. You won't want to miss the joyful surprise that is "Once Upon A Mattress," April 14, 15 and 16. Showtime is at 7:30 p.m. in the Whitewater High School Auditorium. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors, and $8 for adults.

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