University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to present Once Upon A Mattress

The UWM Peck School of the Arts closes its 2023-2024 season with the comic masterpiece Once Upon a Mattress opening April 24.

An adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Princess and the Pea, the musical Once Upon A Mattress tells the tale of Winnifred the Woebegone, a swamp princess seeking to defy the odds and win the hand of a prince. The story along the way is filled with wit, charm, and romance told through excellent songs and dance numbers.

Once Upon a Mattress marked Carol Burnett‘s Broadway debut and is credited as helping propel her career to new heights. Burnett originated the role of Princess Winnifred in the original 1959 production. She later appeared in television adaptations in he 1964, 1972, and 2005.

The music is by Mary Rodgers, daughter of Richard Rodgers. UWM Theatre opened its season with State Fair, a rarely-produced gem with music by Richard Rodgers. In this way, Once Upon a Mattress serves as the perfect bookend for audiences.

Sheri Williams Pannell (PSOA Assistant Professor & Area Head, Musical Theatre) serves as stage director for the show. A Milwaukee native, Williams Pannell has directed productions for nearly every major theater company throughout the city.

Extensive dramaturgical research for the production was led by Dr. Robin Mello (Professor of Theatre and Teaching Fellow for Lubar Entrepreneurship Center).

Performances run April 24-28 in the UWM Mainstage Theatre. Tickets range from $12-22. Special prices are available for seniors 65+, UWM alumni, and youth 17 and under.

More information and tickets are at arts.uwm.edu/events

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.