Northland Pioneer College (NPC) Performing Arts Department is proud to present Once Upon a Mattress, a family-friendly, witty musical based on the classic fairy tale The Princess and the Pea. The show debuts Friday, November 14, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., at the college’s Performing Arts Center, located in Snowflake, Arizona, with showings running through November 22.
Set in a kingdom ruled by a controlling queen, the story centers on the matchmaking antics and surprising pairing of a love-struck prince with the unconventional and boisterous Princess Winnifred. This heartwarming tale follows Winnifred as she unravels royal expectations of what a princess “should be” with humor, honesty, and an unstoppable spirit. Thwarting the queen’s devious manipulations to disrupt the union, the production is a feel-good story that explores themes of true love, overcoming adversity, and challenging societal norms.
The cast and crew of Once Upon a Mattress range from communities across the region, from Joseph City to Pinetop. The role of Princess Winnifred, who unwittingly experiences the famed turbulent encounter with the “pea,” is played by Savana May, of Show Low. She has appeared in prior NPC productions, including Hello, Dolly!, Little Women, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Describing May, the production’s producer and director, NPC Faculty in Theatre, Carson Saline stated, “She’s a vocal powerhouse. But what I absolutely love about her is that she is so willing and gung-ho to try anything and to trust the process. She is a generous actress and performer and has set an example to the rest of the crew to really give it their all, to be brave, and to make good choices.” Brecken Brimhall, of Snowflake, has been cast as the comical and charming Sir Harry. Saline said, “He has stepped up in the role as the adorable ‘idiot’. Sir Harry is a little oblivious to his surroundings and often says things before thinking about how they might be interpreted.” Saline laughed, “Brimhall has the most charming and honest way of portraying the bumbling hero in this tale.”
This is the first NPC production for which everything has been built specifically for the show. The lighting has been carefully fashioned and tested, and 100% of the set, costuming, and design have been tailor-made. Saline admitted, “It’s been a labor of love and a lot of hard work, but it’s been great to see the cast experience the magic and excitement behind crafting a theatrical production. For the cast to connect with the truth and spirit of the characters they are playing through knowing what they are going to wear, or what prop they are going to use, is magical.” He said, “It’s a special reminder of the transformative power of a theatrical production.”
“The audience should walk away thoroughly entertained, and perhaps a little sore in the stomach from laughing so much,” Saline said. “Perhaps an important message will accompany that humor… to be yourself and not change your ideas or ideals based on what might be expected of you. To be, like Winifred, and find someone who truly loves you for who you are.”
Showings of Once Upon a Mattress will run for two consecutive weeks, on Nov. 14, 15, 20, 21, and 22, beginning at 7 p.m. Two additional 2 p.m. matinee performances will be held on Saturday, November 15and 22. Advance tickets are $16 for general adults, $13 for students, and $14 for seniors. Purchase your tickets early by visiting www.npc.edu/tickets. All shows will be held at the Performing Arts Center, 1611 S. Main in Snowflake.
NPC’s production of Once Upon a Mattress is presented through a special arrangement with Concord Theatricals, www.concordtheatricals.com. The original production opened on May 11, 1959, and was directed by George Abbot, with choreography by Joe Layton. Once Upon a Mattress marked the Broadway debut of comedian Carol Burnett, who originated the role of Princess Winnifred. Questions can be addressed to NPC Faculty in Theatre and the production’s producer and director, Carson Saline, at (928) 536-6247 or by email at carson.saline@npc.edu.
