Valparaiso High School is bringing the magic of live theater to life with its production of "Once Upon a Mattress," a whimsical retelling of the classic Princess and the Pea. Filled with laughter, heartfelt moments, and standout performances, this crowd-pleasing musical promises fun for audiences of all ages. Under the direction of Colleen Peluso, the cast and crew have poured their talents into creating a vibrant, humorous, and uplifting show that challenges stereotypes while celebrating love and individuality.
They completed the performances with a stunning set and costumes that look as if they've been lifted straight from a storybook painting, adding a remarkable visual element to the show. Performances will take place Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m.
For senior Reagan Smedley, playing Princess Winnifred was both a challenge and a joy.
“This is definitely a role I’ve never played before — it gets me out of my comfort zone and lets me be free, goofy, and silly without apologizing for it. I really love it — it’s so much fun to play,” Smedley said.
Her favorite scene involves her dramatic entrance as Winnifred, a moment she describes as a show-stopper.
“The audience’s first impression of me is that I come from the swamps, all gross and covered in moss. It’s super funny, and I’m really excited to see how people react to how I look and present myself,” she said.
Beyond the humor, Smedley hopes audiences connect with the deeper message of Winnifred’s unapologetically bold personality.
“She’s not like every typical princess — she doesn’t fit the stereotype,” she explained. “I hope it inspires people to truly be themselves and love who they are. She’s goofy and weird and doesn’t apologize for it, and I think people will find comfort in that.”
For Grace Mills, playing Lady Larkin was an opportunity to embrace the character’s emotional intensity, portraying the highs and lows of Larkin’s personality.
“I think just being dramatic the entire time is kind of what I went for,” Mills said. “It helps me feel both upset and in love the entire time.”
Both actresses agreed on the challenges of fully committing to their roles.
“The hardest part is doing it full-out every time,” Mills said. “You have to bring that emotional intensity to every rehearsal and performance.”
For Smedley, balancing Winnifred’s humor with her sincere, relatable qualities was key to making the character resonate with the audience.
The bond among the cast extends beyond the stage, with humorous and lighthearted moments adding to the experience. Mills shared a particularly memorable rehearsal with Andrew, who plays the silent but expressive King Sextimus.
“We had him make up speaking lines for his character to see what he would say if he could talk. There was this part where he acted like a rat and yelled, ‘BEWARE – the RATS!’ We all tried so hard to stay in character, but it was too funny,” she said.
Director Colleen Peluso chose “Once Upon a Mattress” for its family-friendly humor and suitability for the school’s talented cast. She described casting as one of the most rewarding aspects of directing.
“There’s always somebody who does something so different or so much better than you’ve ever seen them do before,” she said. “You can cast a lot of different ways, and it would still work, but part of directing is going with your gut.”
For Peluso, one of the show’s central themes – challenging preconceptions and embracing what’s unexpected – resonates deeply.
“The Queen has a very clear picture of what a princess should be, but the princess we end up with isn’t who you’d expect,” she said. “It’s about being open-minded to new ideas and experiences.”
Behind the scenes, stage manager Harry McMurtrey worked tirelessly with his team to bring the production to life. Despite the challenges, he found great pride in his work.
“The set was pretty difficult to put together, mostly because we had a lot of new faces,” McMurtrey said. “Seeing everything come together and knowing I played a part in making that happen feels incredibly rewarding.”
As the cast and crew prepare to take the stage, they hope audiences will find joy and connection in this lively production.
“It’s not just funny – it’s also really heartfelt,” Smedley said. “There are so many contrasting characters, and I think audience members will find pieces of themselves in each one.”
Valparaiso High School’s "Once Upon a Mattress" is a celebration of individuality, humor, and the magic of theater – it’s a production not to be missed.
To buy tickets, visit the box office or purchase online.