Once Upon a Mattress

Once Upon This Mattress is a comedic musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale The Princess and the Pea. Set in a medieval kingdom, the story follows the quirky Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, who arrives at the castle hoping to marry Prince Dauntless the Drab. However, the domineering Queen Aggravain has decreed that no one in the kingdom may marry until her son does—and she has made it nearly impossible for any princess to pass the ridiculous tests she devises. Winnifred’s unorthodox behavior, including swimming the moat to reach the castle, shocks the court but endears her to Dauntless.

As the musical unfolds, the kingdom’s frustrated couples—especially Lady Larken and Sir Harry—hope Winnifred can break the curse of the Queen’s control. With the help of a silent but wise King, a mischievous Jester, and a determined ensemble, a secret plan is set into motion to expose the Queen’s unfair tactics. In the end, Winnifred proves her royal sensitivity (and sincerity) by feeling the discomfort of a single pea hidden under twenty mattresses, passing the test and winning Dauntless’s heart. The show, filled with witty songs, slapstick humor, and a playful twist on traditional fairy tale tropes, delivers a message of acceptance, individuality, and standing up to authority.