"Once Upon a Mattress," presented by Act 1, is thoroughly delightful and features winning portrayals by the entire cast. Director Anne Lewis fills the intimate Schubert Theatre with an energetic and playful performance.
Jonas Bloomfield starts the show appealingly as a wandering minstrel who sets up the musical based on the story of "The Princess and the Pea." The set is simple, featuring a whimsical royal crest of a chick holding a sword.
We are introduced to the dysfunctional family of Queen Aggravain, King Sextimus and Prince Dauntless the Drab.
As the domineering queen, Catherine Nadeau is an intimidating force of nature. She dominates every time she sets foot on the stage. Nadeau makes her whiny and controlling and very funny.
As the king, James "Bo" Sayre must spend most of the show being mute, but convey his thoughts and wishes hilariously through body language. A highlight is the song "The Minstrel, The Jester and I," in which only Bloomfield's minstrel and Michael Guerriere's jester sing, but Sayre's soundless mugging makes it truly a trio.
Dauntless, played by Joshua Hanrahan, is so dominated by his mother as to almost seem simple-minded. But Hanrahan gives him a naive charm that make it even more satisfying when he finally gets a backbone.
As the brash and uncouth princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, Renee McFillin is fabulous. Her rendition of "I'm Shy" is a highlight and gives her the chance to show off her powerful belt. She is a dynamo, dancing in "Spanish Panic" and running around the stage lifting weights and drinking wine in "Song of Love"
As the lovers, Lady Larken and Sir Harry, Farrel McVay and Jayce Meredith are adorable. McVay's somewhat restrained lady in waiting is a perfect foil to McFillin's boisterous princess. McVay's and Meredith's duet "In a Little While" is sweetly sung, and Meredith makes his knight stalwart and appealing.
The supporting cast also show themselves to be strong singers and dancers. Guerriere, particularly, gets to show off his considerable dance skills in "Very Soft Shoes."
The three-piece orchestra is on stage on the second level of the castle set and violinist Linda Kistler gets to show off her comedic skills in "Nightingale Lullaby."
Paul Curcillo's scenic design inventive and he delivers the punch line with a colorful bed of 20 mattresses. Liza Black's costumes look right for the period and add to visual appeal.
