Written by orange• October 24, 2026• 2:46 am• Musical, Uncategorized, Vanguard Uni

A Technicolor Dream- Once Upon a Mattress, the musical @ Vanguard University – Review

Written by Patrick Chavis

Once Upon a Mattress, the musical at Vanguard University, October 15-Nov 1, 2026.

The book for Once Upon a Mattress is fun, lighthearted, and full of Broadway-style extravagance. On the smaller, more intimate ED & Dixie Arnold Stage at Vanguard University , it doesn’t necessarily match the material’s scale or glamour.

However, it still captures the fun and quirkiness. The color palette from a trio of costume designers — Isaiah Mix-Granados, Joseph Amos, and Annie Rigg — is all its own. Oh, and the puppets are to die for!

Story:

Once Upon a Mattress has been around since the 1950s, starting off Broadway and later finding its legs on the bigger stage; some call it the Great White Way. Over the years, it has had plenty of revivals, including as recent as the early 2000s. It has humor that doesn’t take itself too seriously, some iconic performances, and, yes, the pronounced but not over-the-top message of being yourself and questioning rigid authority.

The musical uses the fairy tale of “The Princess and the Pea” as source material but with comedic liberties, of course. Queen Nightingale is played superbly by Ruth Gray. She captures the attitude and, even more impressively, the rapid-fire pace of her dialogue, never dropping a line. Small in stature, large in presence, Nightgale makes marriage illegal unless her son Prince Dauntless (Dylan Cranford) gets married. The catch: she also makes it almost impossible for him to marry, leaving her in power indefinitely (relatable). Will Prince Dauntless ever find true love? This and more in Once Upon a Mattress.

The design for this show is loud, colorful, and just right. It’s like Medieval Times got lost in a rainbow and never found its way out. But it’s not just the colors; every piece has a unique style. It’s almost too much, but with Once Upon a Mattress, this was the right recipe. This is a family show; it’s great for kids, and a message I think most people can relate to. Plus it has puppets, so kids will like that.

Acting:

Wonderful casting: Faith Horne is Princess Winnifred, the outspoken, unconventional princess in this tale. Horne sings a splendid rendition of “Shy,” and makes a wet entrance when she arrives from the moat. She not only sang delightfully but also brought so much personality to each line and moment in her rendition of “The Swamps of Home”.

The small but mighty live band Vanguard typically brings to the party, led by David Diiorio, did not disappoint, as usual. Though, for this kind of music, it was a little thin.

With hand gestures and non-verbal acting, the two puppeteers behind the mute King, Michael Oliva Hernadez and Issac Yescas, bring the quiet but kind king into the fold of the story.

Last but not least, “Yesterday I Loved You,” the duet between Lady Larken (Kendra Barnhart) and Sir Harry (Matthew Barge), is as lovely as it is sappy. Barnhart and Barge’s comedic chemistry throughout the production fits the bill, and Barnhart’s vocals take it to the next level.