By Mimi Feuling
Reader Contributor
The cast of Once Upon a Mattress on stage
Hear ye, hear ye!
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Once Upon A Mattress” is coming to Sandpoint March 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18! Join in on all the fun featuring the work of a cast and crew of over 100 Sandpoint youth and a good-sized group of youthful adult volunteers! With six shows to choose from over two weekends, there’s sure to be one for you to attend.
Director Jeannie Hunter and Musical Director Jon Brownell of Growing Dreams Productions, Inc, and Choreographer Laurie Buck of Studio 1 Dance Academy have teamed up with the Panida Theater this year to bring you this rollicking family show. Those of you who have seen Growing Dreams collaborations in the past know this show is a definite must-see. Costume Director Angie Aller and her Dream Seam Team are once again outdoing themselves, prepare to be amazed and delighted.
Reviewers have this to say about this zany musical:
“If you thought you knew the story of the ‘Princess and the Pea,’ you are in for a walloping surprise.”
Did you know that Princess Winnifred actually swam the moat to reach Prince Dauntless the Drab? Or that Lady Larken’s love for Sir Harry provided a rather compelling reason that she reach the bridal altar post haste? Or that, in fact, it wasn’t the pea at all that caused the princess a sleepless night? Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the familiar classic of royal courtship and comeuppance provides for some side-splitting shenanigans. Chances are you’ll never look at fairy tales quite the same way again.
The show highlights local favorites, including a few new faces, such as Riley Anderson, Saharah Chalupny, Alexander Riach, Hope Ambridge, Burton Anderson, Zane Rasor, Devin Fredericks, Renee York, Tristan Authier, Bob Stevens, Jasmine Mearns, Zoe Miller and many more. There will be plenty of dancing and singing and surprising plot twists in this zany rendition of the classic tale of the “Princess and the Pea.”
There are two special shows planned during the run – Student Night on Thursday, March 16, and The Family Show during the matinée on March 18.
Student Night tickets are discounted for students 18 and under with ASB card.
The Family Show is sponsored by Dr. Joseph Johnson and Aspire Dental in Ponderay and will feature extra fun events and photo opportunities with the cast on stage for your favorite princess, prince, lady or knight. Children 12 and under will enjoy $10 tickets for this show.
“Once Upon A Mattress” will be presented at The Panida Theater on March 16, 17 and 18. All shows are at 7 p.m., plus a matinée at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 18. Tickets can be purchased from cast and crew, on the Panida’s website and via email at [email protected]. Tickets are $15 each, except at the special shows listed above.
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Coming up this week! Don’t miss out on MarchFourth, A Reunion Concert, a Street Scramble... and more! See the full list of events in the 
