Bridge Players Theatre Company presents Once Upon a Mattress across 3 weekends in May 2024. The popular play features Music by Mary Rogers; Lyrics by Marshall Barer, and Book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer. If you thought you knew the story of "The Princess and The Pea," you may be in for a walloping surprise!
Did you know, for instance, that Princess Winnifred swam the moat to reach her happily ever after? Or that there were 12 previous princesses vying for the hand of Prince Dauntless the Drab? What about King Sextimus' curse that can only be reversed "when the mouse devours the hawk"?
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.
Performances take place May 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 at 8:00pm and May 5, 11, 12 at 3:00pm. The performance on Friday, May 10 will be sign interpreted. All performances take place at Broad Street United Methodist Church (36 E. Broad Street) in Burlington, New Jersey. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children under ten. Tickets are available for purchase online. Note: they prefer not to take sales at the door, and currently do not take no-pay reservations.
The cast includes Damon A. Strothers (Minstrel), Rene Atkinson (Princess #2), Ethan Rundell (Wizard), Caitlin Figueroa (Lady Larkin), Amber Stolarski (Queen Aggravain), Matthew Patalona (Prince Dauntless), David Helgeson (King Sextimus), Kenneth Fisher / Jeff Rife (Jester), Kori Rife (Princess Winnifred), Aaron Reid (Sir Harry), Marissa DiPilla-Clendaniel (The Nightingale of Samarkand), Felix Ramos (Sir Studley), Dan Mucha (Sir Luce), John Salera (1st Knight), Joe Tabasco (2nd Knight), Jaden Murray (3rd Knight), Allyssa Winkelspecht (Lady Rowena), Kayla Kulla (Lady Merrill), Allison Leete (Lady Lucille), Megan Moyers (Emily), and Rebecca Sisley (Lady H).
The production crew includes Director Brian S. Rothman; Asst. Director & Choreographer Kenneth Fisher; and Music Director Diana Dohrmann.
Once Upon a Mattress is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
Bridge Players Theatre Company, based in Burlington, NJ, is dedicated to presenting high quality, affordable theatrical productions to the community. They encourage an active and diverse membership by creating opportunities, both on and off stage, for people of all ages and from all backgrounds, inviting all to celebrate their individual talents and their mutual passion for live theatre.
Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Burlington County Board of Commissioners, Department of Resource Conservation, Division of Parks.
Image designed by Caitlin Meleski Artwork
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A limited number of early access tickets for McCarter Director’s Circle members and members of the Museum’s Partner Circle are available, on sale Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM. General public on sale begins Friday, September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Please be aware there is no public drop-off or parking at the Museum. For visitors with mobility needs, please contact the Museum at least three business days in advance of your visit to request special access to the Museum via Elm Drive. Call 609-258-3788 and select option 1 to speak to a visitor services staff member, or email Louise Barrett at [email protected].
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