Once Upon A Mattress Press Release

THE COTERIE MAKES COMIC FAIRY TALE MAGIC WITH
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS JUNE 19-AGUST 5
You'll never look at fairy tales the same way again!

Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairytale, "The Princess and the Pea," comes to the stage as a musical comedy in Once Upon a Mattress June 19 – August 5 at the Coterie Theatre in Crown Center.
The Coterie is working with the esteemed Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization to create this new theatre-for-young-audiences audiences version of Once Upon a Mattress from the Broadway original by Mary Rogers (music), Marshal Barer (book and lyrics) and Jay Thompson and Dean Fuller (book).

"For some time, I've wanted to bring this piece to Coterie audiences," said Jeff Church, Coterie artistic producing director. "Grandparents and some parents will remember this is the delightfully comic musical that made Carol Burnett famous by telling the story of the 'The Princess and the Pea' - only this princess is from the swamp!

"This atypical view of the traditional princess is just what we like to do," Church said. "Mary Rodgers, daughter of Richard Rodgers, is the composer of the hilarious songs, including the famous, robust number called "Shy." We expect Mary to join representatives from the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization who are coming here to experience this Coterie world premiere."

Once Upon A Mattress is part of the Coterie's Lab for New Family Musicals, a program developed to improve the quality of productions available for families and young audiences. "Inviting the original Broadway artists to work on their shows in Kansas City has been very rewarding for the talented artists associated with our theatre," Church said. Previous Broadway artists involved in the program include Henry Krieger (Lucy Duck), Harry Connick, Jr. (The Happy Elf), Stephen Schwartz (Geppetto & Son) and the team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Seussical, Once On This Island, Twice Upon A Time).

After every Friday night performance of Once Upon a Mattress, there will be a free Something Fun experience. Audiences may experience an autograph session with Princess Fred and friends, an Opening Night reception, a Q&A or even a mini-class with the cast. The experience will change each week.

Once Upon a Mattress is the last of three productions this season in the Coterie's Family Series and is funded in part by the Missouri Arts Council (MAC) and the ArtsKC Fund.

ABOUT THE COMPANY
The Coterie has assembled some of the finest musical theatre talent: Will Amato, Katelyn Baron, Tyler Eisenreich, Enjoli Gavin, Matthew King, Frankie Kranz, Ron Megee, Lauretta Pope, Grant Prewitt, Julie Shaw, Noah Whitmore and Stefanie Wienecke.

The talented artistic and production company includes Jeff Church (director), Andy Parkhust (choreographer), Anthony Edwards (musical director), Kristin Yager (set designer), Ron Megee (properties designer), Georgianna Buchanan (costume designer), Art Kent (lighting designer), Daniel Warneke (sound designer), Amy Abels Owen (stage manager), Scott Hobart (technical director) and Bradford Forehand (assistant director).

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Coterie Theatre, now in its 33rd Season and named "One of the Five Best Theaters for Young Audiences in the U.S." by TIME magazine, is located on level one of Crown Center Shops in Kansas City, Mo. Once Upon a Mattress performs June 19 - August 5, 2012.

Opening Night June 22 audiences are invited to a free post-performance celebration/reception with director and cast members. Free question and answer sessions about the show and "how it's done" will take place after the 2 p.m. performances June 23 and June 24.

Individual tickets $10 for youth, students and seniors; $15 for adults; $9 for Season Ticket holders. Tickets may be purchased online at www.coterietheatre.org or by calling the Coterie box office (816) 474-6552 from 10 a.m. to 4 p. m. Monday through Friday. TARGET Saturdays: Free ticket with purchase (one per order; restrictions apply; not available online).

NOTABLE DATES:
June 22, Opening Night
June 22, 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27 and August 3, Something Fun Friday Night!: A free post-performance experience that may be an autograph session with Princess Fred and friends, Q&A or mini-class with the cast. The experience will change with each performance.
June 23 and 24, Q&A: Free post-performance question and answer sessions with the Company.
June 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28 and August 4: TARGET Saturdays: Free ticket and book with order; restrictions apply; not available online.
June 30, Once Upon a Gala: A benefit for the Coterie Theatre at Crown Center Square. Details online at www.coterietheatre.org.
July 7: Interpreted performance in American Sign Language

# # #

NOTE: All student and professional reviewers and editors are invited along with one guest to attend an Opening Weekend performances at 7 p.m. June 22 or 2 p.m. performances June 23 or 24. Contact Joette Pelster at jpelster@coterietheatre.org to RSVP or to reserve a different performance.


Photos and poster artwork are available upon request.


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