Once Upon A Mattress: a heartwarming, humorous hit at Hononegah

Enchanting storytelling came alive through great humor, and outstanding vocals by the talented cast and crew of Hononegah Community High School's Performing Arts students on March 14-16, 2025.

Once Upon a Mattress was written in the summer of 1958 as an adaption of "The Princess and the Pea" by Hans Christian Andersen. The musical version featured music by Mary Rodgers and lyrics by Marshall Barer. The script was based on the book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer.

Directed by Carolyn Frieden and assistant director Christian Frieden, the high school actors fully embraced their roles in a repressed medieval kingdom, from the lead actors to the townspeople.

Once Upon A Mattress is written in two acts.

In the opening scene, a minstrel appears, showcasing Kirra Fluegel's musicality and acting chops. She told the story of what happened “Many Moons Ago.”

Jennavieve Gail Harms ruled as Queen Aggravain, commanding attention in every scene she was in.

Playing opposite the strong-willed Queen was her husband, the lovable King Sextimus, who became mute after having a spell cast on him. Gabriel Serrano Letona took on this challenging role, speaking only through hand gestures and body language for the majority of the show.

Letona and Hilton were outstanding while having a “Man to Man Talk,” where the King discretely informs Prince Dauntless about the birds and the bees - without saying a word.

The lyrics to the song “Opening for a Princess” set the course of action for the show. The Queen has a mission to try to find a suitable princess for her son, Prince Dauntless, brilliantly played by Malakhi Hilton.

The nuances of the fun and entertaining Princess Winifred the Woebegone (just call her Fred) were matched by Emma Caver's handling of the witty dialogue with vocal talents and comedic abilities. Carol Burnett created the role, in her Broadway debut.

Winifred enters the kingdom looking like a mess, wearing tattered clothes after she just swam the moat. In her brash introduction to the townspeople, she claims to be “Shy,” with the words garnering great laughter from the audience.

Winifred tells her life story while remembering “The Swamps of Home.”

After he meets her, Hilton's super vocals shines in “The Song of Love,” where he announces, “I'm in love with a girl named Fred.”

In the challenging "Spanish Panic," everyone moved with skillful timing and rhythm in the fast-paced dance.

Liv Simpson sparkled as Lady Larkin, who fell in love with the conceited Sir Harry, a character owned by Nathan Shapiro.

Lady Larken tells Sir Harry that she is pregnant with his child. After soaking in the news, they sing, “In A Little While.” But after a fight, Lady Larken runs away. The Jester invites her to go to “Normandy” with him - where the open sea is.

As the show progresses, Lady Larken and Sir Harry find their way back together, expressing their regrets and realizations in “Yesterday I Loved You.” Both Simpson and Shapiro displayed great flair in their dramatic scenes, plus great comedic prowess.

Maddox Lester stood out as the fun Jester, especially in the number “Very Soft Shoes.”

Taylor Morrow was magically entertaining as the Wizard.

Grace McClarty had a memorable scene as “The Nightingale,” whose lullaby captured the audience but kept Winifred awake.

The Queen gives Winifred a “Sensitivity” test, placing a pea under a mattress. If Winifred couldn't sleep, that would prove she was a truly sensitive princess.

At the end of the show, it is revealed that Winifred's sympathizers had assisted her by placing large items under the mattress. But the pea turned out to be enough. Winifred has passed the test, meaning she and Dauntless can now marry.

The King was given back his voice, while the Queen lost hers. The King now had a lot to say.

The townspeople and main characters celebrate the fact that Winifred and Dauntless can now live “Happily Ever After.”

Townspeople who helped to tell this story were Ash Castillo, Abby Church, Irelyn Crowley, Samatha Dietrich, Amelia Escamilla, AJ Gibson, Brayden Gibson, Kendra Hammonds, Sophie Hoyer, Baylie Hutchens, Keira Jones, Charlie Krieger, Isabel LaPonsie, Tessa Larson, Evee Layng, Madison Mahan, Grace McLarty, Bell McLeod. Evelyn Newman, Ryan Nosbisch, Atticus Olsen, Toria Owens, Natalie
Rasmussen, Val Rinaldi, Landon Summer, Carter Szczesny, Eva Thor, Molly Toole and Megan Vandergrift.

Leading the musical numbers was a 13-member pit band directed by Jeremiah Kramper and featuring Lisa Miller, Hailee Jarrett, Ashlin McKernan, Brooke Franklin, Kyliee Brooks, Payton Kiely, Ben Hansen, Morgan Crowley, Ema Mayer, Cal Kramper, Noah Reader, Averi Bronnimann, and Jakob Keip.

Skillful set changes added to the overall aura of the production. Bradley Bond was the scenic designer and lead carpenter.

Special thanks to HCHS PAC Director, Sean Mohler.

Kelley Beard added to the production with careful use of props and period-style costumes.

The props and costumes crew were Chloe Baumgartner, Meghan Bartch, Katie Marshall, Adele Montgomery, Isabella Murath, Savanna Neiber, Callie Parker, Maddie Schnurr, Splinky (Kaitlyn Ogden), Addisyn Hansen, Alistair Petz, Molly Vosberg, Quinn Washko, and June Weidman.

Ellie Carmona served as the stage manager. Maddi Matrick, Evan Gilson, Jackson Lawyer, and Ollie Elting were assistant stage managers.

Braydon Beck, Evan Gilson, Jackson Lawyer, and Ollie Elting worked the audio. David Houhau, Tommy Wente, and Aliyah Navarro operated the lighting.

Special effects technician Evan Guetschow and Alyah Navarro handled the fly rail.