The St. Cyril Theatre Guild's 1996 Summer Musical, Once Upon A Mattress, presented the challenge for most of the cast of some unfamiliar songs. The original broadway show with Carol Burnett was never made into a movie and hadn't been performed in Houston for quite some time. Even though the show wasn't all that familiar, we had a new director, Jill Aufill, whose unique style and imagination added an additional spark of "fairy tale" magic. This musical was another "laugh 'til you cry show." Classic memories of this show include Kayleen Clements' rendition of "FRED," Kevin Drewes as Prince Dauntless, and Rick Solis as the "speechless" King. Unknown to much of the audience, we actually had an "additional" cast member as the Queen Laura Gerard was pregnant. Once Upon a Mattress is based on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale of the Princess and the Pea. This charming once-upon-a-time story unfolds in a mythical 15th century kingdom, where Prince Dauntless the Drab is pursuing matrimony and his mother, Queen Aggravain, is attempting to frustrate all eligible candidates and keep the Prince from leaving home. The King is a victim of an evil spell and can't speak. The ladies-in-waiting are forbidden to marry until the Prince finds a mate. Then, in swims (via the castle moat) Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, dripping wet. Though a little eccentric, she captures the heart of Dauntless and the entire kingdom...the entire kingdom, that is, except for the Queen. After a series of tests, Winnifred must undergo a night's sleep upon 20 mattresses, which under the bottom one has been placed a single pea (obviously, if Winifred is truly a princess, she would not bear such discomfort). Well, with a little help she passes the test, marries Prince Dauntless, and they live happily, happily, happily ever after. Once Upon A Mattress ...Directed by Jill Aufill ....Produced by Bill Ortiz Music by Mary Rodgers Lyrics by Marshall Barer Book by Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer, and Dean Fuller Nominated for Best Actress in a Musical (Carol Burnett) in 1960 Nominated for Best Musical 1960 Partial Cast List in order of appearance Minstrel-Hank Rethlake Princess #12-JoAnn Vallot Nightingale-Alice Rethlake Wizard-Sheila Drewes Lady Larken-Nancy Spahni Queen Aggravain-Laura Gerard Prince Dauntless-Kevin Drewes King Sextimus-Rick Solis Jester-Cheryl Anderson Sir Harry-Dave Hall Princess Winnifred-Kayleen Clements The Songs Overture Many Moons Ago An Opening For A Princess In A Little While Shy Sensitivity (Currently Playing) The Swamps Of Home Normandy Spanish Panic Song Of Love Quiet Happily Ever After Man To Man Talk Very Soft Shoes Yesterday I Loved You Nightingale Lullaby Finale Go Back To Vist Our Other Productions © 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005