The Princess and the Pea is a beloved fairy tale. Once Upon a Mattress, a decidedly modern take on the timeless story, will make theatergoers young and old fall in love all over again—partly because of the pint-sized cast.
Minnetonka Theatre’s spring elementary show, Once Upon a Mattress, reimagines the story of Princess Winnifred and Prince Dauntless with catchy songs, a message about being yourself and a dose of comedy.
The show is presented by nearly 300 Minnetonka School District students in the fourth and fifth grades. Once Upon a Mattress opened February 4 with a show by the Excelsior Elementary cast; other February shows featured casts from Minnewashta Elementary, Scenic Heights Elementary and Deephaven Elementary. On March 11, Groveland Elementary performs, followed by Clear Springs Elementary on March 18.
The unique elementary program at Minnetonka Theatre was started in 2011 by Trent Boyum, the artistic director of the district’s arts center. After 101 Dalmatians, The Jungle Book, Our Gang Follies of 1938, Oklahoma! and The Wizard of Oz, Once Upon a Mattress marks the sixth annual elementary production. Several of the program’s alumni have continued their theatrical careers in high school productions, as well as in shows at the Guthrie, the Ordway and Chanhassen Dinner Theatres.
The elementary program often mounts their productions during the summer at the city of Minnetonka’s amphitheater, so if you miss the March dates, you’ll have a chance to see Once Upon a Mattress again on June 16 and 17.
All performances are held at the Excelsior Elementary auditorium, 441 Oak St., Excelsior; $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors.
