Once Upon a mattress

Written by Josh Werre

What happens when you cross “The Princess and the Pea” with a Broadway musical? You get the USF Theatre Department’s spring show, “Once Upon a Mattress,” a production that not only features several debut performances, but a directorial debut as well.

“Once Upon a Mattress” follows the story of Princess Winnifred, an ungainly and brash girl competing for the hand of Prince Dauntless, whose domineering mother has declared that he must marry a “true” princess before anyone else in the kingdom can marry.

For USF Associate Professor of Theatre, Alecia Juelfs, the musical marks her first time directing a mainstage show at the University. “I’ve learned a lot,” Juelfs says. “It’s really humbling to be able to be able to collaborate with so many people, and see, wow, if this was just me, it would not be good.” Directing is a process she describes as “a rollercoaster”, but one that “speaks to the nature of needing community and collaboration… we’re better together in those things.”

Juelfs isn’t the only one making a debut with “Mattress.” 8 of the cast members are appearing in a mainstage production for the first time. Senior music education major, Megan Sundvold, is one of them. With graduation quickly approaching, “Mattress” was a now-or-never moment for her. “[I]t’s my senior year. This is my last opportunity to get involved in something like this,” she explains. “I haven’t been in a musical since junior year of high school… This has been such an exciting time to get back on the stage and do what I love most! Singing and dancing.”

It’s this type of passion from the actors that Juelfs is excited for audiences to experience. “[T]he students are having a lot of fun with it, so I think the audience will too, and that’s what I’m most excited for… I’m just looking forward to having fun.”

Performances for “Once Upon a Mattress” will be held from April 19-22 in the Meredith Auditorium in the Jeschke Fine Arts Center.