Posted By Laura Tayman on MD Theatre Guide

The complexity of family dynamics, mixed in with an amazingly young and talented cast, and a historic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale makes for a fun and very entertaining “Once Upon a Mattress” production at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis this month.

Colorful costumes, effective sets, and beautiful harmonic lines from the well-rehearsed and animated ensemble make this show—a classic of Broadway over 50 years ago—still entertaining for all ages in 2023.

Set in the 15th century, the tale of “The Princess and the Pea” centers around a lonely prince who is searching for his princess. His mother, the Queen, is busily concocting a multitude of challenges to dismiss all of the candidates. The prince, skillfully played by CTA standout, Finn Hintermeister, grows from dutiful son to rebellious sweetheart.

Opening the show is the minstrel, ably played by Cai Malone, a lovely soprano who walks the audience through the familiar tale. The Queen, Rosalie Hess, then commands the stage from her first entrance with her loud, irritating and menacing voice and wearing elaborate, regal costumes (beautifully made by the costume committee with a fancy feather theme) that steals the show.

The first of the romantic couples in the story begins with Lady Larkin, ably played by Anna Porter, and Sir Harry, portrayed by CTA regular Ryan McCandless. Their song “In a Little While” captures the sweetness of their infatuation, followed by the shock and realization of the coming of a new baby and a need for a quick wedding.

The palace is upended by the unexpected arrival of another possible bride-to-be, Princess Winifred, a not-so-normal kind of princess who swims in moats, clomps around in raggedy dresses, and claims to be (at the top of her very large lungs) “Shy.” This plain-spoken, rule-breaking princess is played by the powerhouse voice of Mia Rinehart. Her endearing goofiness, un-ladylike behavior, and amazing vocal chops not only earns the love of Prince Dauntness, but the audience, too.

One of the breakout talents of the show is JJ Reida, the silent King Sextimus. He doesn’t speak throughout most of the show, but in musical numbers and comedic situations, his impressive dancing and miming move the plot forward to where he comes into his own voice and silences his wife’s over-the-top commanding control that has the audience cheering.

Other standouts include Matthew Earl as the Jester with his soft shoe inspired number “Quiet Shoes,” and the lovely “The Nightingale of Samarkand” brought by the queen to lure Winnifred to sleep with a beautiful, haunting melody sung by the young Harper Wright.

Director/Musical Director Terry Sweet Bouma notes, “The spark of belief that love can be found against all odds and despite many oddities makes this story worth telling again. It resonates in the same heartbeat where all fairy tales deliver a touch of magic.”

Colorful costumes, effective sets, and beautiful harmonic lines from the well-rehearsed and animated ensemble make this show—a classic of Broadway over 50 years ago—still entertaining for all ages in 2023.

Running Time: Two hour and 15 minutes with one intermission.

“Once Upon a Mattress” runs weekends through May 21, 2023 at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis,1661 Bay Head Rd, Annapolis, MD 21409. Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.