FL
O
RE
N
CE
ONCE
UPON A MATTRESS
CROW presents retelling
of classic fairy tale
The musical comedy opens April 10
at the Florence Events Center.
COURTESY PHOTO
n off-beat retelling of the Hans
Christian Andersen fairy tale,
“The Princess and the Pea,”
Children’s Repertory of Oregon
Workshops’ (CROW’s) latest production,
“Once Upon A Mattress,” focuses on a
royal family whose matriarch, Queen
Aggravain, has ruled that no one in the
kingdom may marry before her son,
Prince Dauntless. She keeps the kingdom
single by foiling every marital candidate
the prince entertains.
A
8 • C OAST
Sir Harry offers to search far and wide for the perfect
candidate for Prince Dauntless and returns with Princess
Winnifred (“Fred” to her friends), an uncouth woman
from the wrong side of the swamp. Hilarity ensues and
if you want to know the rest, you’ll have to come see
the show, Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 12, at
the Florence Events Center.
During its original Broadway run, “Once Upon A
Mattress” made Carol Burnett a household name as
Princess Winnifred. Years later, she brought the produc-
tion full circle with a turn as the wicked Queen.
The Los Angeles Times says the play is “witty and
tuneful.” Talkin’ Broadway calls it “fun and efferves-
cent.” MSNBC hails it as “a peppy spoof.” Whatever
you want to call it, audiences are going to absolutely
love it, says artistic director Melanie Heard.
C ENTRAL • A r t s & E n t e r t a i n m e n t • A P R I L 2 0 1 5
More than 50 children and young adults have been
put through the paces by experienced CROW volun-
teers, such as musical director Jason Wood and assistant
musical director Maree Beers. Spectacular set pieces
have been created by Chris Heard, David Tidball and
Crystal Shahan. Karen Mechek and Judy Murphy will
once again dazzle with their artistic skill.
Margaret McDiarmid has returned to design beautiful
stage lighting, and Chris Owens will provide profession-
al soundboard operation.
Polly Fleming and Barbie Madden have been sewing
costumes like mad in order to creatively clothe the large
cast of lords and ladies. Debbie Waiss returned this year
to stand guard at the castle doors as stage manager.
See
CROW page 9