The Conservatory Students at West Seattle's ArtsWest Theater are presenting the comedy classic Once Upon a Mattress Aug. 7 through 11.

If you thought you knew the story of "The Princess and the Pea," you may be in for a walloping surprise!

Did you know that Princess Winnifred actually swam the moat to reach Prince Dauntless the Drab? Or that Lady Larken's love for Sir Harry provided a rather compelling reason that she reach the bridal alter post haste? Or that, in fact, it wasn't the pea at all that caused the princess a sleepless night? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the familiar classic of royal courtship and comeuppance provides for some side-splitting shenanigans.

Synopsis
This magical adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale the Princess and the Pea is full of side-splitting humor and wonderful songs the whole family will enjoy. In a far-off land Prince Dauntless is in search of a wife, and until he finds a woman to be his bride, no one in the land is allowed to get married.

It is his mother – the devious Queen Aggravain – who is against any marriage to her son. However, time is running out for Lady Larkin and Siry Harry who are expecting a child at any time. It is a cast of zany characters, including a jester, a minstrel, and the silent King himself, who prove an unexpected visitor, Princess Winifred (nicknamed Fred), is the perfect match for the lonely Prince.

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS – August 7-11, 2013

Lyrics by Marschall Barer

Music by Mary Rodgers

Book by Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer & Dean Fuller

Directed by Emily Rose Frasca & Ryan Floresca

Music Direction by Emily Rose Frasca

Purchase tickets HERE.