MADCAP MEDIEVAL MUSICAL IN SEARCH OF A TRUE PRINCESS

 

Does Nashua have a true princess who will pass the test? Peacock Players invites you to find out, when the premiere award-winning youth theatre presents the Broadway classic Once Upon a Mattress for two weekends in November at the 14 Court Street Theatre in Nashua, NH.

 

Once Upon a Mattress is the hilarious musical re-telling of the classic tale, “The Princess and the Pea’. However, if you thought you knew the story of "The Princess and The Pea," you may be in for a walloping surprise! You may not know, for instance, that Princess Winnifred actually swam the moat to reach the Prince, Dauntless the Drab? Or that Lady Larken's love for Sir Harry provided a rather compelling reason that she must reach the bridal altar post haste? Or that, in fact, it wasn't the pea at all that caused the princess a sleepless night? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the familiar classic of royal courtship and comeuppance provides for some side-splitting shenanigans. Chances are you'll never look at fairy tales quite the same way again.

 

Once Upon a Mattress opened on Broadway in 1959 launching the career of a young Carol Burnett in the starring role as Princess Winnifred, a hopeless tomboy who has to prove to a suspicious queen that she is worthy of her royal son’s hand in marriage. It was revived on Broadway in 1996 with Sarah Jessica Parker taking on the role of Princess Winnifred, a production that won the Tony for Best Revival of a Musical.

 

Once Upon a Mattress is directed by Jennifer Sue Mallard with musical direction by Caitlin Cole, and choreography by Brittney-Lynne Stanley. This marks Jennifer Sue Mallard's Mainstage directorial debut with Peacock Players. Ms. Mallard was honored with the 2007 New Hampshire Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Professional Musical and has acted Off Broadway in New York.

 

The cast includes both Peacock Players veteran performers and many newcomers. “We are thrilled to re-invent Once Upon a Mattress for, and with, a whole new generation,” says Keith Weirich, Artistic Director of Peacock Players. “This production gives us the opportunity to welcome many talented new faces to the Peacock Players Mainstage, while we continue to develop the region’s strongest young theatre artists.”

 

Once Upon a Mattress performances are at 7pm on Fridays, 2pm and 7pm on Saturdays, and 2pm on Sundays, November 14th through 23rd. To purchase tickets or more information, please call 603-886-7000 or visit www.peacockplayers.org.

 

Peacock Players. Proudly bringing color to life through Theatre and Education.

 

 

 

Contact:         Dalisa Carpenter

                        Business Manager

                        Peacock Players

                        14 Court Street Theatre

                        Nashua, NH 03060

                        (603) 889-2330, x93

                        dalisac@peacockplayers.org