The Aerospace Players present the family-friendly musical comedy "Once Upon a Mattress" with book by Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer, and Dean Fuller, music by Mary Rodgers, and lyrics by Marshall Barer. Six performances will take place on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm on July 22, 23, 29 and 30, with matinees at 2pm on Sunday, July 24 and Saturday, July 30 at the James Armstrong Theatre, located at 3330 Civic Center Drive in Torrance, CA 90503. The production is directed by Michael-Anthony Nozzi with musical direction by Bob Minnichelli, produced by Lisa Golden and Steve Norris by special arrangement with R & H Theatricals: www.rnh.com.
"Once Upon a Mattress" is a hilarious musical adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea." Queen Aggravain has ruled that none may marry until her son Prince Dauntless marries. However, she has managed to sabotage every princess that has tried to win the Prince's heart. Sir Harry and Lady Larken are determined to marry, so Sir Harry goes off to the swamps and brings back Princess Winnifred ("Fred" to her friends). The Queen is horrified and immediately begins to scheme against her. But Winnifred, with some help from Sir Harry, the King, and the Jester, isn't going to be quite so easy to get rid of as she is determined to marry the Prince whatever test the Queen devises for her. Will she succeed and get to live happily ever after? The answer lies below a bed of 20 mattresses. Missed your chance to attend the Royal Wedding this year? Still dreaming of marrying Royalty? Then this is the show for you!
Featured in the cast are Jose Acain, Nancy Arnold, Shari Barrett, Susane Button, Erin Callaway, Mark-Bruce Casares, Stephen Cathers, Conna Condon, Joe Essner, Drew Fitzsimmons, Lisa Golden, Brian Grundy, Kathleen Hart, Laura Hecht, Michael Heidner, Jacob Helfgott, Brittany Hooper, Mary Kay, Bud Krause, Amparo Lomas, Ken MacFarlane, Tony McQuilkin, Ida Miller-Krause, Bob Minnichelli, Joey Minnichelli, Flora Morin, Katie Neagle, Jennifer Pawlikowski, Ryan Raleigh, Cynthia Reyes, Jason Stout, Lisa Stout, Kristin Towers-Rowles, Tim Wade, Kevin Wheaton, Rachel Willenbring, and Robin Wohlman.
Tickets are $22 adults, $20 seniors, $18 students (over 12 with student ID required), $14 kids (12 and under), with Group Rate $16 (for 10 people or more). Tickets may be purchased at the James Armstrong Theatre box office by calling (310) 781-7171 or one hour prior to any performance. Please note that a $2.50 per ticket city service charge will be added to all tickets sold at the box office. For The Aerospace Players (TAP) ticket information, please call Flora Morin at (310) 336-7222.
For more information about The Aerospace Players and our productions, please visit www.aeaclubs.com/theater. Information can also be found on Facebook.
Special "Meet the Princess and Royal Court" family-friendly events will be held at the following locations where you can meet cast members, listen to "The Princess and the Pea" story being read, ask the Royal court any questions you may have about the story or Royal way of life, and have your photo taken with members of the Royal Court. Everyone is encouraged to attend these events in your best Royal costume, bring a camera, and be prepared to learn a song from the show to sing with the cast.
"Meet the Princess and Royal Court" events are free and open to the public at the following locations:
Saturday, July 9 from 12:30-1:00pm at the Palms-Rancho Park Library located at 2920 Overland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90064.
Tuesday, July 12 from 7:00-7:30pm at the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library located at 3301 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503.
Wednesday, July 13 from 6:30-7:00pm at the Peninsula Library located at 701 Silver Spur Road Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274.
Sunday, July 17 from 10am-Noon inside the Del Amo Fashion Center (in front of JoAnn Fabrics), 3525 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90503
Come one, come all and meet Royalty when they visit your neighborhood, and then come see "Once Upon a Mattress" at the James Armstrong Theatre in Torrance from July 22-30.
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