Courtesy Photo by Bronwyn Woolman “Once Upon a Mattress” continues Thursday through Sunday at Alpena Civic Theatre. Pictured, from left, are Pam Swope as the Minstrel, Olivia Martin as Lady Larken, and Morgan Suszek as the Jester in the musical comedy.

ALPENA — Audience members of all ages will surely be entertained by Alpena Civic Theatre’s production of the hilarious musical, “Once Upon a Mattress.”

With a host of beautiful voices, a visual masterpiece of a set, colorful and elaborate period costumes, a whole lot of dancing, and nonstop comedy, this musical is a perfect community theater collaboration.

Directed by Nan Hall and Kirstine Furtaw, “Once Upon a Mattress” is a comedic, musical take on Hans Christian Anderson’s 1835 fairy tale, “The Princess and the Pea.”

In the story, Princess Winnifred enters a kingdom that is under a curse forbidding anyone from marrying until Prince Dauntless finds a wife. The swamp princess challenges the kingdom’s traditions, trying to win over Dauntless, despite the prince’s mother, Queen Aggravain, who strives to keep him from marrying anyone by creating impossible tests for each potential mate, setting them up to fail.

The queen’s controlling attempts to thwart her son’s plans to marry lead to her devising a test using a small pea under a stack of 20 mattresses to see if Winnifred is capable of detecting it.

Jean Martin-Baker plays a very convincing villainous ruler as Queen Aggravain, bossing everyone around with quick commands to be sure her plans are executed. No one would know that Martin-Baker took a 17-year hiatus from acting before this role. Her precise timing and mastery of many lines, combined with her spot-on portrayal of a controlling mother and wife display her many talents. She is also the music director for this show, and the music is wonderful.

Bryan Ghekiere does a hilarious job as the aloof, childish Prince Dauntless, who appears to follow his mother’s commands, but sees something special in Princess Winnifred, a hyper, fun, strong, unusual woman whom everyone seems to love being around.

Ashley Goodburne brings joy and energy to the stage as Winnifred, a relentlessly positive princess whose presence in the kingdom brings hope to the people under Aggravain’s rule. Goodburne’s many skills are on display in this, just her second appearance on the ACT stage. One would never know she used to be shy.

Larry Johns delivers another strong, funny performance in a somewhat strange role, as King Sextimus the Silent, who does not speak, but uses motions to convey his thoughts and needs.

Over on the dark side, Kristin Loughery plays Queen Aggravain’s conniving sidekick, the Wizard, devising plans to test the princess in ways that are destined to make her fail. Loughery provides a layer of magic sprinkled with wit to keep audiences entertained as she and the queen conspire to keep the kingdom marriage-free.

Pam Swope as the Minstrel and Morgan Suszek as the Jester have plans of their own, sneaking around with the king in some of the most hilarious scenes. Swope and Suszek both have beautiful singing voices, as well as comedic timing and facial expressions that will keep audiences laughing.

Mike Furtaw as Sir Harry and Olivia Martin as Lady Larken have a romantic tale of their own, as they wish to marry, but drama ensues on their journey. The pair have impeccable chemistry, and their lovely voices complement each other during many songs.

Dani Ayotte as Kitchen Wench adds a hysterical sidebar as she scurries around the stage in the most random moments.

Just when you thought you couldn’t laugh any harder, the next line or move or scene will surprise and delight you, and you’ll be so glad you came to “Once Upon a Mattress” that you might even reserve a seat to see it again.

Every cast and crew member involved in this production should be proud of the work they have put in to showcase the many talents of the all-volunteer community theater group at ACT.

Additional cast members include: Taylor Ayotte as Princess No. 12/Mabelle, Colin Hainstock as Sir Studley, ACT newcomer Gavin Barden as Sir Luce, Rodney Ayotte as Knight, Callie Barber as Emily, Addison Wesaw as Lady Rowena, Riley Pelto as Lady Merrill, newcomer Marleigh Hann as Lady Beatrice, Emma Barz as Lady Edie, newcomer Nettie Faircloth as Lady Cordelia, and newcomer Jaidyn Jackson as Lady Hilda.

The crew includes: Nan Hall and Kirstine Furtaw as directors, Martin-Baker as music director, Christine Giordano as choreographer, Beckie Durfee as assistant director and stage manager, Grace Morrison as scenic designer, Mary Ann Crawford as costume designer, Jay Kettler as lighting designer, Carol Rundell as producer, Nick Stone as accompanist on piano and pit orchestra leader, Dave Lawrence on bass, Mark Brosz on drums, MaryAnn Hubbard on flute and piccolo, Candy Peterson as rehearsal pianist, Brittany Giordano as choreographer’s assistant, Virginia Hulsey and Jackie Herbert as costumers, Cathy Meske on set construction, Reggie Bisanz and Morrison as scenic artists, Hall, Kirstine Furtaw, Dani Ayotte, Emma Barz, Wesaw, Faircloth, Ghekiere, and Mike Furtaw as set/paint/light crew, Herbert as lighting and sound operator, Eva Traylor as properties master, Wesaw and Hann as prop crew, Durfee and Traylor as run crew, Bronwyn Woolman on photography and photo boards, Morrison on sign design, Julie O’Bryan, Woolman, and Bill Powell on publicity, and Fran Hamp, Linda Suneson, Bisanz, Sue Jackowiak, Lois Darga, and Diane Young in the box office.

“Once Upon a Mattress” runs at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $20 per seat for adults, $15 for college students with valid ID, and $10 for elementary through high school students. For tickets, call the box office at 989-354-3624. Alpena Civic Theatre is located at 401 River St., Alpena.

Reach Lifestyles Editor Darby Hinkley at dhinkley@thealpenanews.com, or call 989-358-5691.