‘Once upon a mattress’ Gets comfortable with quirky characters
Princess Winifred (Marcee Doherty-Elst), center) is surrounded by her castle mates played by, from left, front, Ky Peters (Ensemble), Alexis Nyren (Ensemble), Corey Richards (Minstrel), Laura McDonald (Lady Lucille); back row, from left, Jay Nolan (Ensemble), Hannah Esch (Queen Aggravain), Joe Picchetti (Wizard), Matt Specht (Jester), Ceci Scalish (Lady Rowenda), SaraLynn Evenson (Lady Merrill).
By MARILYN JOZWIK
Published Nov. 16, 2019
The musical “Once Upon a Mattress” is probably best known for launching the career of Carol Burnett, who, starting in 1959, played the unlikely princess with the comedic flair and who later delighted TV audiences for years.
Theater RED and Carroll University’s Theatre and Arts Management Program present the show, billed as a “Magical Medieval Musical.”
It should also be noted that the show’s music is by Mary Rodgers, the daughter of famed composer Richard Rodgers, while the lyrics are by Marshall Barer and the book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Baer.
Director Eric Welch went for pure camp with this production, getting lots of quirky performances from his cast--befitting this show, which has a sort of “Spamalot” vibe and an embrace-your-uniqueness theme.
The Minstrel (Corey Richards), The Wizard (Joe Picchetti) and The Jester (Matt Specht) get together in “Once Upon a Mattress.”
“Once Upon a Mattress,” based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea,” takes place in a fictional Medieval kingdom ruled by the evil Queen Aggravain – a big, bold, bombastic performance by Hannah Esch – who has an unhealthy attachment to her son, Prince Dauntless. The Queen has devised impossible tests for all princess wannabes, including Princess #12, a hilarious Laura Gray whose gum-chewing character has a ditzy, teeny-bopper attitude. Gray’s #12 fails to answer the Queen’s question in the show’s opening scene and another attempt at being the Prince’s mate is aborted.
Not only is the poor, clueless Prince Dauntless (Tim Albrechtson) deprived of a wife, but no one in the kingdom can marry until he does. That prompts Sir Harry (Welch), whose girlfriend Lady Larken (Bryanna VanCaster) is pregnant, to head to the hinterlands to find a princess. He returns with a socially inept, but strong as an ox, Princess Winifred (Marcee Doherty-Elst) from the swamps.
Prince Dauntless (Tim Albrechtson), Queen Aggravain (Hannah Esch) and King Sextimus (Robby McGhee) share some family time in “Once Upon a Mattress.”
The Queen, of course, has a devious plan that will surely keep Winifred from passing the princess test. But Prince Dauntless is smitten by her – which all in the castle can see – so perhaps there will be a happily ever after, after all.
We see Winifred’s pluck and determination from moment she climbs out of the castle moat as she wills her way into the castle. Doherty-Elst exudes all the energy of the spunky Winifred with an earnestness that’s endearing. She uses every inch of the stage as she bemoans not having the advantages of other fairy tale princesses, like Snow White who was saved by “seven little men … practically a regiment.” It is, perhaps, the show’s centerpiece, nicely done by Doherty-Elst.
Albrechtson’s Prince Dauntless maintains an exuberant boyish behavior and such wonderful audience engagement as he blissfully romps through his castle and kingdom. Albrechtson, who inhabits his character’s juvenile persona (the result of his over-protective mother), rides his little wooden horse with abandon, but finally learns the facts of life (“Man to Man Talk”) from his mute father, King Sextimus, played by Robby McGhee, who is hilarious with his mime and physical expressiveness.
Corey Richards, as always, gives a wonderful performance and handles the Rodgers melodies with his silky, tenor voice in tunes like “Many Moons Ago.” Director Welch as Sir Harry, pairs nicely with Bryanna VanCaster as Lady Larken, especially in the lovely “Yesterday I Loved You” tune.
Prince Harry (Eric Welch) sings his love for Lady Larken (Bryanna VanCaster) in “Once Upon a Mattress.”
Music director Julie Johnson handles all the tunes on keyboard, keeping a brisk pace, though some vocals were overpowered by the instrument. Vocally, Esch’s Queen Aggravain filled up the Otteson Theatre with powerful vocals that slid up and down the scales effortlessly, like when she belted out “That Baby of Mine.”
There were good performances all around, including the delightful trio of Ladies-in-Waiting that included Ceci Scalish, SaraLynn Evenson and Laura McDonald. McDonald, especially, had some wonderful comedic moments, such as when she inadvertently got bopped by the Queen, always giving her character extra boosts of energy.
Some fun ensemble numbers include the “Spanish Panic” scene at which the castle denizens appear at a dance party, part of the Queen’s plan to foil Winifred’s bid for marriage to Dauntless. Choreographer Scalish had the group executing some hip moves to several very un-Medieval tunes, including Gloria Esteban’s “Conga” and Beyonce’s “All the Single Ladies.” A real crowd pleaser.
Scenic Designer Justine Gale provided a fitting Medieval castle look for this finely-tuned cast to romp.
If you go
Who: Theater RED and Carroll University’s Theatre and Arts Management Program
What: “Once Upon a Mattress”
When: Through Nov. 23
Where: Otteson Theatre, Carroll University, 238 N. East Ave., Waukesha
Info/Tickets: wwwtheaterred.com