ONCE UPON A MATTRESS run dates: 4/3/2008 - 4/6/2008 Quad City Music Guild/Prospect Park Auditorium, Moline ____________________________________________________________________________
During my stint as an undergrad, a good friend of mine appeared in a production of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, and due to scheduling I was unable to see a performance of the show. What I did experience, however, was hearing about the songs and the jokes throughout the time he was rehearsing MATTRESS.
I got a chance to learn a little bit about the subversive humor that makes this musical – which is a version of a fairy tale, after all – so much fun, and his descriptions have made me want to see it ever since.
In the case of Quad City Music Guild’s production of this often-funny musical, I did finally see the show, and it confirmed for me just how entertaining this version of "The Princess and the Pea" can be. Directed by Harold Truitt (assisted by Mike Millar), with musical direction by Joe Miller (assisted by Dee Rob), this MATTRESS is a fun show with plenty of great performances.
Chief among them is Valeree Pieper, who is an absolute pill as the motor-mouth Queen Aggravain. This role, which encompasses virtually every line in some of her scenes, offers a performer the chance to play controlling and loquacious (in spades), and Pieper seems to be having a complete blast doing just that.
Greg Golz is also entertaining as King Sextimus the Silent, lending ridiculous pantomime to his voiceless character’s communication, and the outsized laughs he earns are fully deserved. As the court Jester, Derek Bertelsen is also quite fun, and he lends a sweetly human touch to the fantastic "Very Soft Shoes," which is possibly the single best musical number in the show.
I loved Joe Urbaitis’ portrayal of Prince Dauntless the Drab, too, for its superb realization of this character’s many endearing qualities. Urbaitis is touching and quite funny here ("Song of Love" is another favorite), and it is by far the best work I’ve seen him do.
Heather McGonigle plays Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, and she does well in this physically (and vocally) demanding role. True, I would have liked to see more age and grit infusing this character – which would have made it even funnier – but McGonigle does just fine. Taking over the stage for "Happily Ever After" and dominating it on "Swamps of Home," she showcases her impressive vocal chops and charms the audience with the same ease she does the Prince and the rest of the court. (And the women’s chorus that backs her on "Swamps of Home" is simply terrific, providing rich harmonies that are perfectly textured and absolutely gorgeous.)
More character actors and a good-sized ensemble round out this cast, which is quite good overall – even two days before the opening. A first-rate set (more of Truitt’s work), great brightly-colored costumes by Aimie Kass and a fine-sounding pit also contribute to the worthy whole that is this production.
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS just plays through one weekend, so make sure you get tickets while you still can. It’s the perfect sort of entertainment to keep our minds off the tardiness of spring, so make sure you check out this MATTRESS.
