FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: South Bay Musical Theatre
Phone: (408) 266-4734
Website: SouthBayMT.com
South Bay Musical Theatre Announces Once Upon a Mattress
September 26–October 17, 2026 | Saratoga Civic Theater
Saratoga, CA – South Bay Musical Theatre (SBMT) is delighted to open its 64th season with Once Upon a Mattress, the hilarious and heartwarming musical comedy inspired by the classic fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea,” running September 26 through October 17, 2026 at the Saratoga Civic Theater.
With music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, and a book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer, Once Upon a Mattress turns the familiar fairy tale on its head. Fiery swamp princess Winnifred the Woebegone arrives at the royal court and finds herself in a battle of wills with the impossibly picky Queen Aggravain, who will stop at nothing to prevent Winnifred from marrying her son, Prince Dauntless the Drab. Along the way, audiences will encounter outrageous characters, clever humor, romantic entanglements, and such memorable songs as the crowd-favorite “Shy.”
Made famous on Broadway by Carol Burnett in her breakout role as Princess Winnifred, Once Upon a Mattress has delighted audiences for generations. This production celebrates the wit and warmth of Mary Rodgers, daughter of legendary composer Richard Rodgers, while introducing a new generation to one of musical theatre’s most unabashedly funny fairy tales.
Directed by Doug Brook, with choreography by Esther Selk, music direction by Mark Wong, and vocal direction by Kristin Pfeiffer, this joyful production brings together a cast of 23 Bay Area performers.
“Once Upon a Mattress is exactly the kind of show I want to open our season with,” says SBMT Artistic Director Walter M. Mayes. “It’s wonderfully silly, gloriously theatrical, and very, very funny—but beneath all that laughter is a story about being true to yourself. Winnifred refuses to squeeze herself into someone else’s idea of what a princess should be, and that makes her a surprisingly modern heroine. At a time when the world can feel complicated enough already, sometimes the most radical thing we can do is laugh together.”
CAST
Princess Winnifred the Woebegone: Jessica Whittemore
Prince Dauntless the Drab: Adam Strauss*
Queen Aggravain: Melissa Mei Jones
King Sextimus the Silent: Dave Leon
The Minstrel: Mary Melnick
The Jester: Mandy Heiser*
The Wizard: Robin Melnick
Lady Larken: Lucy Nino
Sir Harry: Daniel Rios*
Knights of the Court:
Tim Huang, Noah Lerner*, Jacob Janssen*, Sam Merritt-Broyles*, Cam Burchard
Ladies of the Court:
Samantha Borthwick, Karlin Smith*, Joy Lee*, Lizzie Izyumin, Clara Walker, Kaitlyn Scadina
Ensemble and Swing:
Kyrie Timbrook, Ruby Delgros*, Wylie Merritt-Broyles*
*Indicates an actor making their SBMT debut with this production.
Understudies include Samantha Borthwick, Jacob Janssen, Kyrie Timbrook, Clara Walker, Kaitlyn Scadina, Tim Huang, Ruby Delgros, Cam Burchard, and others. Princess Winnifred will be played by understudy Samantha Borthwick at the October 2 performance.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director – Doug Brook
Choreographer – Esther Selk
Music Director – Mark Wong
Vocal Director – Kristin Pfeiffer
Set Designer – Michael Paul Hirsch
Lighting Designer – Noah Price
Costume Designer – Y. Sharon Peng
Hair & Makeup Designer – Y. Sharon Peng
Sound Designer – Dan Singletary
Props Designer – Olivia Downey
Magic Coordinator – Olivia Downey
Projections Designer – Don Nguyen
Stage Manager – Quentin Tepliuk
Assistant Stage Manager – Casey Keys
Performances take place at the Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy SBMT on a budget: Parking is free; seniors age 65 and over receive $3 off adult prices; children age 12 and under and students pay just $37–$38; and season subscribers save up to 25% compared with single-ticket prices.
The Saturday, October 3 matinee will feature ASL interpreters positioned on the left side of the theater and will be followed by a post-show talkback.
Sunday, October 11 is Girl Scout Day, when Girl Scouts can take advantage of a special group discount.
Tickets are available at SouthBayMT.com or by calling the SBMT Box Office at (408) 266-4734.
Once Upon a Mattress is presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
About South Bay Musical Theatre
Founded in 1963, South Bay Musical Theatre (SBMT) is now in its 64th season of producing Noteworthy Entertainment for Bay Area audiences. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, SBMT brings together a community of artists, volunteers, and audiences to create memorable live musical theatre and leave a lasting positive impression on the local community. Learn more at SouthBayMT.com.
Follow SBMT on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content:
Facebook: @SouthBayMusical
Instagram: @southbaymusicaltheatre
YouTube: /c/southbaymusicaltheatre
TikTok: @southbaymusicaltheatre
BlueSky: @sbmt
Press Contact
Doug Hughes, Director of Marketing
📧 doug.hughes@southbaymt.com
📞 (408) 476-2267

FOR CALENDAR EDITORS:
WHAT: South Bay Musical Theatre presents ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, a musical comedy featuring music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, and a book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer.
WHEN: Runs September 26 through October 17, 2026
Saturday, September 26 at 8 p.m. — Opening Night
Sunday, September 27 at 2:30 p.m.
Friday, October 2 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, October 3 at 2:30 p.m. — ASL interpreted; post-show talkback
Sunday, October 4 at 2:30 p.m.
Friday, October 9 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, October 10 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, October 11 at 2:30 p.m. — Girl Scout Day
Thursday, October 15 at 8 p.m.
Friday, October 16 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, October 17 at 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Saratoga Civic Theater, 13777 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070
RUNNING TIME: Approximately 2 hours, including one intermission.
TICKETS: $37–$65, depending on dates, with discounts for seniors, educators, military, children, and students. Season subscribers receive additional savings. Tickets are available online at SouthBayMT.com or by calling (408) 266-4734.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Downloadable high-resolution publicity photos, suitable for publication, will be available on SBMT’s “PRESS” page at SouthBayMT.com/about-sbmt/press. All photos are by Dave Lepori.
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