Herriman High School presents “Once Upon a Mattress”

There will be no sleeping at Herriman High School’s presentation of “Once Upon a Mattress” Nov. 17-19 at 7 p.m.

With a mute king, a hawk-like, meddling queen, a timid, mousy prince, and a swampy, unrefined princess, this musical comedy is an off-beat adaptation of “The Princess and the Pea.”

Queen Aggravaine has ruled that no one in the kingdom may wed before her son, Prince Dauntless. However, the queen also does all that she can to foil any possible marriages to her son by inventing nearly impossible tests for any prospective bride. Enter Princess Winnifred, known as Fred to her friends. Fred is an uncouth princess from the wrong side of swamp who catches the prince’s interest and gives the queen a run for her money.

Originally an off-Broadway musical, the show finally came to Broadway starring Carol Burnett as Princess Winnifred. Years later Burnett would come full circle and play the queen. Since its debut on Broadway, “Once Upon a Mattress” has been a popular musical comedy for high school and college theater.

 “There is a lot of humor that grown-ups and students will enjoy, and with the bright colors and fun songs, children will like it also. All around, anyone will enjoy it,” director KayCee Bradshaw said.

Tickets are $5 for Herriman High students with student ID and children under 5, $7 for children 18 and under, and $8 for adults.