“Once Upon A Mattress” reviewed by Amy Menzel

[rating=4]One of my favorite words is “opportunity.” You never know where opportunity will lead you. Take, for instance, the opportunity I have to review for this site. I knew I’d get to see some great theater, but I had no idea that I’d be introduced to some great theater in my backyard (almost).

I live in Waukesha, Wisconsin, about 20 miles outside of downtown Milwaukee where I am usually headed to review. Yesterday’s performance, however, was just on the other side of town at Carroll University. Theater RED opened their two-weekend run of Once Upon a Mattress last night at the Otteson Theatre on the Carroll campus.

If memory serves me correct, I saw a high school production of Once Upon a Mattress decades ago. The story was familiar, a retelling of “The Princess and the Pea,” but I don’t recall the innuendo nor the number “Man to Man Talk,” which may simply speak to my young naivety. Certainly, Theater RED’s production is far from whatever I think I might have seen on a high school stage long ago.

It’s not just that this production leans into the sexual humor of the show (appropriately so), but it also stars a talented and polished cast who have carefully crafted their characters. Exceptional timing, keen facial expressions, and telling idiosyncratic moves enhance the humor throughout. And the intimate setting of the proscenium theatre, set to hold 150 in the house for this run, allows the audience to appreciate these elements. A few facial expressions alone, delivered by Prince Dauntless, played by Tim Albrechtson, and Sir Harry, played by Eric Welch who also directs the show, led to universal laughter from the opening-night audience of 75. Female leads Hannah Esch and Marcee Doherty-Elst also tickle the audience with their performances of Queen Aggravain and Princess Winnifred respectively. Esch’s rendition of “Baby of Mine” earned “woos” from the audience and Doherty-Elst’s “Shy” is the highlight of the first act.

It’s more than worth noting the exceptional work of musical director Julie Johnson, a Carroll University Alumnus, who accompanies the cast on electric piano and simultaneously doubles as a percussionist for a couple numbers. Johnson plays with energy and grace and impressed her (many) fans in attendance as well as the rest of us.

There are 26 other individuals from Carroll (22 students, three faculty/staff members, and one more alumnus) who contribute to this production both on stage and behind the scenes. The entirety of both the costume shop and scene shop are comprised of current students who, under the direction of two Carroll faculty/staff, create a fantastic visual experience.

Once Upon a Mattress is billed as “a magical medieval musical.” I think the words whimsical, funny, and fun best describe this production. Not only do I highly recommend attending this show, but I highly recommend keeping Theater RED on your radar. I’m really glad I got the opportunity to catch this collaboration with Carroll University and I look forward to following the itinerant company and catching their future productions in the southeastern Wisconsin area.

Once Upon a Mattress runs through November 23 at the Otteson Theatre, 238 N. East Ave., Waukesha, WI 53186:

Saturday, November 16* – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 17 – 2 p.m.

Friday, November 22 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 23 – 2 p.m.

Saturday, November 23 – 7:30 p.m.

*The November 16 performance features a collaboration with students of UW-Milwaukee American Sign Language/English Interpreting Program.

The show runs 120 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.

Tickets ($20) can be purchased here. The house opens 30 minutes prior to showtime and all seating is open