This twist on the familiar fairy tale “The Princess and The Pea” comes to life with wonderful songs and side-splitting shenanigans! From a moat-swimming princess to a mute king, Once Upon a Mattress combines the love and charm from the classic fairy tale with humor for all ages. Once Upon a Mattress is billed as “fresh, inventive and funny,” by The New York Daily News.

Visit the Candlelight Pavillion web site for specific show dates, times, and prices.

“Many Moons Ago” in the medieval kingdom ruled by Queen Aggravain and King Sextimus, the people were in peril; not by a dragon or an invading army, but by the rule of the Queen herself. She had proclaimed, “Throughout the land no one may wed till Dauntless to the altar’s led.” This proves challenging for Sir Harry and Lady Larken as they have had a secret marriage and are expecting a baby. The search for a Princess has been long and the queen has gone through twelve princesses; all deemed unworthy. She forces hopeful princesses to pass an impossible test in order to marry Prince Dauntless, and believes that no one is good enough for her son. To make matters worse, the king is unable to speak due to a curse that has been placed upon him. He will only regain the use of his voice “when the mouse devours the hawk.”  

• WHAT: Once Upon a Mattress, the Tony Award nominated play.
• WHO: Book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, Marshall Barer, Music by Mary Rodgers, Lyrics by Marshall Barer. Direction by George Strattan, Musical Direction by Jennifer Wilcove, and Choreography by DJ Gray for the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater.
• WHERE: Candlelight Pavilion, 455 W. Foothill Blvd., Claremont, CA91711. Parking is available surrounding the theater.
• WHEN: July 9 through August 15th. Thursday-Saturday evenings at 6pm. Sunday evenings at 5pm. Saturday and Sunday matinees at 11am.
• PRICING: $48-$68 for adults and $25-$30 for children 12 and under. Ticket price includes meal, show and sales tax. Appetizers, desserts, beverages and waiter’s gratuity are additional within the theater.
• RESERVATIONS: (909)626-1254 ext. 1
• ONLINE RESERVATIONS: www.candlelightpavilion.com

Little to the queens liking, a new princess arrives, Princess Winnifred; though she prefers to be called “Fred”. Unable to reach the castle, she swims the moat in order to catch herself a handsome prince. Just like the classic fairytale, the queen decides that she will test Fred by placing a single pea under twenty mattresses. She believes that only a true princess would be restless and unable to sleep with a small pebble-sized object under a mountain of mattresses. She does everything in her power to exhaust the hopeful princess. But how will Princess Winnifred do, and will King Sextimus regain the use of his voice? You will just have to come and see Once Upon a Mattress in order to have the “true” story of “The Princess and the Pea” revealed to you.
Once Upon a Mattress was created in 1958 by Mary Rodgers, daughter of Richard Rodgers, Marshall Barer, and Jay Thompson as a one act show. Due to its popularity, the show blossomed into a Broadway production introducing and later skyrocketing the career of Carol Burnett as she starred in the role of Princess Winnifred. The Broadway production would go on to be nominated for the 1960 Tony® Awards, for Best Musical and Best Leading Actress in a Musical for Carol Burnett.  It would go on tour multiple times and was adapted numerous times for television. Once Upon a Mattress was revived in 1996 with Sarah Jessica Parker as Princess Winnifred. This production would go on to be nominated for the 1997 Tony® Awards for Best Revival of a Musical.

The Candlelight Pavilion Production is directed by George Strattan, musically directed by Jennifer Wilcove, and choreographed by DJ Gray. Jenny Strattan leads the cast as Princess Winnifred with Jordan Lamoureux as Prince Dauntless, Zoë Bright as Queen Aggravain, John Lynd as King Sextimus the Silent, Dimyana Pelev as Lady Larken, Isaac Roberts as Sir Harry, James McGrath as the Minstrel, Chris Duir as the Jester, and Jamie Snyder as the Wizard. The extraordinary ensemble cast includes; Tony McConville, Tim Martin, Douglas McCoy, Robert Ramirez, Erin Clark, Nicole Manly, Blair Hollingsworth, and Jenifer Olivares.

The production will feature something for all families. Children will be invited to create their own princess crowns and wizard hats. They will also have the chance to take pictures with Princess Winnifred and Prince Dauntless at the shows conclusion.Once Upon a Mattress is also featured as this summer’s Children’s Theater Workshop. The workshop provides a one week experience for youths ages 6-17. They will be introduced to the whole experience of theater from auditioning to tech and lighting. They will also be featured in the production itself at the end of the workshop.

Once Upon a Mattress opens July 9 at the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theater. Tickets are available by calling (909) 626-1254, ext 1. Regular ticket prices range from $48-$68 which includes both dinner and show.  Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more at even lower rates.  The Candlelight Pavilion is proud to announce its flexible payment plans to all Season ticket holders; save 10% on season tickets when you book as few as four shows.   For more information regarding the 2010 season line-up and ticketing, please visit us online at http://www.thecpdt.com/.