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THEATER REVIEW: Music Guild produces a springy ‘Mattress’

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By David Burke | Friday, April 4, 2008 4:18 PM CDT | () comments

CHECKING the Quad-City Times archives back to 1990, I couldn’t find a community or professional theater group — although I did spot several high schools and colleges — that had produced the musical “Once Upon a Mattress.”

After watching Quad-City Music Guild perform the musical, I’m left with one question: Why haven’t they?

The Guild performance of the musical based on “The Princess and the Pea” is somewhat traditional, a little bit naughty and a 2 1/2-hour good time.

And it’s probably the only occasion to make this statement: The leading lady looks too good.

In a part made famous by Carol Burnett, Princess Winnifred is supposed to be a bit homely, repelling a chorus of men who are eventually charmed by her. Heather McGonigle, the Guild’s princess, is a beautiful blonde with long hair and eyes that sparkle to the back of the audience.

What she lacks for in homeliness (that was an odd phrase to write), she makes up for with comedic chops. She plays the part with the broad humor it requires in her acting, singing and dancing.

McGonigle delivers one of two fantastic female performances. The other is Valeree Pieper as Queen Aggravain, the mother of the prince (Joe Urbaitis) who wants Winnifred the Woebegone as his wife. Pieper, absent from the stage at Music Guild for 4 1/2 years — despite working as musical director on several shows — forces her queen to drip nastiness from every pore while assuming the “no-one-is-good-enough-but-mommy” stance with her son.

Greg Golz excels as the king, silent from a curse and forced to pantomime every word and thought.

Urbaitis is fine as Prince Dauntless, although his vocal inflection seems to change frequently, as does his character’s personality — although part of that comes from the script.

Other fine performances come from Derek Bertelsen, who sings both a sentimental and rousing tribute to his character’s showbiz father; Donald O’Shea, adapting a Sean Connery brogue as a world-weary wizard; and John Weigandt as the minstrel-narrator.

The subplot involves a knight (Todd Weber) who has urgent incentive to get Dauntless married so he can wed Lady Larken (Katie Casey). Although each gives a fine individual performance, their chemistry was lacking in both early and late scenes.

Director Harold Truitt, at times playing traffic cop with several dozen people on stage, caresses many great comedic moments from his cast. He also designed the set, a castle archway that serves as a nice backdrop for costume designer Aimie Kass’ rainbow of colors (nicely heavy on bright neon shades of teal, gold and maroon).

“Mattress” has a score by Mary Rodgers, daughter of musical legend Richard Rodgers, whose only other recognizable effort is a song in “Working” (which the Music Guild also presented in 2004). Its lyricist, Marshall Barer, had several short, short-lived Broadway shows. The lyrics are overflowing with clever wordplay, and musical director Joe Miller and his orchestra make sure the audience captures all of it.

The funny, tuneful show obviously hasn’t been overdone in the Quad-City area, so spring over to Prospect Park and take in this “Mattress.”

David Burke can be contacted at (563) 383-2400 or dburke@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.

IF YOU GO

What: “Once Upon a Mattress” by the Quad-City Music Guild

When: 7:30 p.m. through Saturday, April 5; 2 p.m. Sunday, April 6

Where: Prospect Park Auditorium, Moline

How much: $15 adults, $9 children

Information: (309) 762-6610 or QCMusicGuild.com on the Web