Kelrik Presents ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, Thru 3/11

Kelrik presents the spoof of a classic fairy tale, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS.

Kelly Barrett is back on the Kelrik stage as Princess Winnifred, a role originated by Carol Burrnett on Broadway in 1959. If you thought you knew the story of "The Princess and the Pea," you're in for a 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, 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.

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 and 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. 

Tickets to ONCE UPON A MATTRESS can be purchased online at www.kelrikproductions.org or at Cheap Thrills in San Luis Obispo. ONCE UPON A MATTRESS will perform at Unity, 1490 Southwood Drive in San Luis Obispo, from February 25 - 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.

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.

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