Springhouse Middle School Drama Club students are ready to present their version of the fairy tale "Once Upon a Mattress."

This two-act musical tells the story of a small kingdom led by a silent king and Queen Aggravain, who established a law that none of the Ladies in Waiting and Knights could marry until one lady passes the impossible tests created by the queen, and their son Prince Dauntless the Drab is married.

The story is based on the adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale "The Princess and the Pea."

Elizabeth Gonzalez plays Winnifred. Ryan Zickafoose portrays Prince Dauntless the Drab.

"My character isn't one of the typical princesses," Gonzalez said. "She's not all fancy, and from what I've learned, she's a very down to earth girl.

Zickafoose said Dauntless is sort of a young boy who just doesn't know where he's going.

Zickafoose said he likes playing Dauntless because it brings out the 4-year-old inside him.

Lisa Stein portrays Queen Aggravain.

"Just as the name states, the Queen is very aggravating and vain," Stein said. "She only thinks about herself, and through that, everything is about her baby boy, but what she wants for him – not what he needs."

Skylar Gutman and Paul Dobson commented on playing their roles as Lady Larkin and Sir Harry.

"Lady Larkin is the head lady-in-waiting," Gutman said. "She's in love with another character, Sir Harry, but they cannot get married until Prince Dauntless does."

Gutman said her character can be a little sensitive and over-dramatic at times, but she mostly hopes for Winnifred to pass the sensitivity test.

"My character's name is Sir Harry. He is the head knight," Dobson said. "He wishes for the prince to marry so the marriage law is revoked and he can marry Larkin."

This fairy tale is being directed by Jessica Manmiller.

Manmiller said based on some of the talent she and Alaina Prall, vocal director, and Mike Palazzo, stage crew director, knew they had they decided to make it a fairy tale year.

"This one is special personally because it marks the production of the 30th show for me at Springhouse Middle School," Manmiller said.

The drama club will perform "Once Upon a Mattress" 7 p.m., March 6 and 7 and 2 p.m. March 10 in the Springhouse Middle School auditorium.

Tickets for the show are $3 March 6 and 7 and $5 March 10. They will be available at the door.