Once Upon A Mattress at Gremlin Theatre

Unlabeled Theatre Company is proud to bring you our Spring show of 2026, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS. Get ready to experience our unique “shadow partner” staging model as we radically re-imagine this classic musical. 

Many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Would she be able to pass the Sensitivity Test, marry her prince and help Lady Larkin and Sir Harry to the altar? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the classic tale The Princess and the Pea provides some side-splitting shenanigans. For after all, a princess is a delicate thing.

Performed on the intimate thrust stage at The Gremlin Theater in St. Paul, you will feel immersed in the fairytale world created by our artists.   Attending a UTC show is easy and accessible. There is a large free parking lot adjacent to the theater, and King Coil Spirits, Lake Monster Brewing Company and OG ZaZa Pizza are right next door for your before- and after-performance gathering enjoyment.

At Unlabeled, we believe in unified theatre performances. Why does the world insist on separate programming and institutions based on abilities and disabilities? Unlabeled is here to change that standard by casting shows with two people in almost every role. One artist - who has a cognitive and/or physical disability or who is neurodivergent - is paired with a neurotypical “shadow partner." Together, they create their role and performance. Every partnership is different and unique.

Our mission is to use live theatre to provide performing, vocational and life skills opportunities for adults (18+) with disabilities. The work of our organization models and helps create a more inclusive world. Unlabeled Theatre creates opportunities for theatre artists with disabilities, and for volunteers, community members, and professional performing artists, to experience what people with disabilities can do. Our productions allow people to truly be seen, and to be genuinely included.