Kelrik Productions' ONCE UPON A MATTRESS Closes

Kelrik Productions' presentation of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS closes on March 11 at Unity (1490 Southwood Drive in San Luis Obispo.) This family-friendly musical has a score by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer and a book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer.

About the show: "If you thought you knew the story of "The Princess and the Pea," you're in for a walloping surprise! An off-beat retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, the production focuses on a royal family whose matriarch Queen Aggravain (Debora Schwartz) has decreed that no one in the kingdom may marry until her son, Prince Dauntless (Lester Wilson), weds. She keeps the entire kingdom single by foiling every marital candidate the prince entertains."

"When the noble Sir Harry (Evan Camacho) and Lady Larken (Lauryn Judson) learn they are about to become parents, however, they set out to put an end to the queen's tyranny so their baby may be born in wedlock. Sir Harry finds the perfect potential bride for Prince Dauntless in Princess Winnifred (Kelly Barrett)), an uncouth maiden from the "wrong side of the swamp." With the help of Sir Harry and Lady Larken, she sets out to overcome Queen Aggravain and win her true love's heart."

The family-friendly production is directed by Erik Austin. "ONCE UPON A MATTRESS takes the audience back to the joys of childhood," says Austin. "We have assembled a great cast and creative team to bring this 'happily ever after' story to life." At just over an hour, the show is perfect for families and younger audiences. With colorful sets and costumes and hilarious musical numbers, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS is a show you will NOT want to miss!

Tickets to ONCE UPON A MATTRESS can be purchased online at www.kelrikproductions.org, by phone at (805) 543-PLAY, or at Cheap Thrills in San Luis Obispo. ONCE UPON A MATTRESS will perform at Unity, 1490 Southwood Drive in San Luis Obispo, through March 11. Please note the family-friendly performance schedule: Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 PM with Saturday evening performances at 7 PM. Ticket prices are $14 -$20. Discounts are available for full-time students, seniors, and groups of 15 or more.

ABOUT THE SHOW
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS opened off Broadway on May 11, 1959, with Carol Burnett in the role of Princess Winnifred. It then moved to Broadway for a run of 460 performances, receiving Tony Award nominations for Best Musical and Best Leading Actress for Carol Burnett. A Broadway revival starring Sarah Jessica Parker as Princess Winnifred opened in December of 1996 and was nominated for Best Revival of a Musical.

There have been three made-for-television versions of the musical. The 1964 version starred Burnett again as Princess Winnifred and Elliott Gould as the Jester. Another version in 1972 added Bernadette Peters as Lady Larken, Ken Berry as Prince Dauntless, and Wally Cox as the Jester. In December of 2005, The Wonderful World of Disney produced a new version starring Carol Burnett in the role of Queen Aggravain, Denis O'Hare as Prince Dauntless, Tom Smothers as King Sextimus the Silent, Matthew Morrison as Sir Harry, Zooey Dechanel as Lady Larken and Tracy Ullman as Princess Winnifred.

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
Through March 11
Saturdays @ 2 PM & 7 PM, Sundays @ 2 PM
$14-$20
UNITY, 1490 Southwood Drive, San Luis Obispo
805 543-PLAY (7529) www.kelrikproductions.org

SHOW DESCRIPTION: If you thought you knew the story of "The Princess and the Pea," you're in for a walloping surprise! By turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the classic tale of courtship and come-uppance leads to side-splitting shenanigans. After seeing ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, you'll never look at classic fairy tales quite the same way again!