Fairytales and Laughter: Once Upon A Mattress Wins Over The Audience

Laughter filled the auditorium as the cast of Once Upon A Mattress took the stage this past weekend, bringing the classic fairytale to life with humor, strong vocals, and plenty of unexpected moments that had the audience entertained from beginning to end.

The musical, based on the story of "The Princess And The Pea", follows a kingdom where no one is allowed to marry until Prince Dauntless finds a princess worthy enough to pass the queen's impossible tests. When Princess Winnifred arrives at the castle, the story quickly turns into a chaotic and hilarious adventure.

The show featured a cast of about 20 students who were fully committed to the roles. Freshman Luke Donahue played the role of Prince Dauntless, while Junior McKenna DeJianne portrayed the bold and energetic Princess Winnifred. Sophomore Liana Shepherd delivered many of the show's funniest moments as the dramatic and controlling queen. 

One of the moments the audience enjoyed most came when the princess was alone on stage and started tossing grapes towards the audience, which quickly became a crowd favorite.

“My favorite part was when the princess was alone in the room and started hitting grapes towards the audience,” said freshman Charlee Bauer. “Something that surprised me was when the queen lost her voice, and the king got his back,” when the mouse devoured the hawk.

“I expected the singing to be really strong and good, and it was,” Bauer said. “I honestly expected mistakes because usually when I watch school musicals, there’s always some mistake or mess up, but there wasn’t.” 

For the cast, the musical was as much about the experience as the performance. On stage, each actor brought their character to life, whether through dramatic flair, comedic timing, or energetic dance moves. Moments like the Spanish panic, where nearly the entire cast performed together, highlighted the cast's coordination and made the show feel lively from start to finish. 

“This musical is special to me because I got close to so many people whom I may never have gotten to know if it weren’t for this,” said freshman Mollie Lee, who played Lady Mabelle. She also praised the dedication of her cast mates, noting that they “really committed themselves to their roles.”

Backstage, the crew worked tirelessly to keep the show running smoothly. Sets were removed and properly arranged, and costumes were checked to ensure each scene flowed seamlessly. Freshman Juliet Tirado, a member of the backstage crew, explains that much of what they do is invisible to the audience: “With all of the crew members wearing black, it’s hard to see people moving set pieces on and off stage.” She added that her favorite moments were sharing laughs with her friends while making sure the show went off without a hitch.

The set and costumes added even more charm to the production. A beautifully built castle transformed the stage into a royal kingdom, while the traditional costumes gave the story a classic fairytale feel. Small touches, like tossing grapes or comedic gestures, kept the audience laughing and fully engaged.

By the final scene, it was clear that the cast and crew's dedication had paid off with a mix of humor, teamwork, and impressive performances. Once Upon A Mattress showed that high school musicals can be both entertaining and polished, leaving the audience smiling long after the curtain closed.