When you go to see “Once Upon a Mattress” this weekend, be sure to keep your eye on the wily suit of armor … wait, watch a suit of armor? You’ll just have to go see this show being put on by Growing Dreams Productions, Inc., and Panida Playhouse to see what is so very special about that suit of armor!

With wonderful musical numbers like “Shy” and “The King, The Jester, and I”, some silent shenanigans from the cast, frantic dancing, and a moat-swimming princess, “Once Upon a Mattress” earned standing ovations both opening night and this past Saturday night. Featuring a strong pool of vocal and acting talent from our own youth thespian community, catching one of the last four shows of this play will leave you in stitches.

Audience members have been raucous in their enjoyment, cheering and laughing in turn. The cast thrives on this interaction and really give it everything they’ve got. Saharah Chalupny as Queen Aggravain couldn’t be more commanding, even though she can’t quite control her mute husband, King Sextimus (Zane Rasor), and his sidekicks the Jester (Devin Fredericks) and the Minstrel (Riley Anderson). With all these distractions, her son, Prince Dauntless the Drab (Burton Anderson) and his new-found lady love, Princess Winnifred the Woebegone (Jasmine Mearns), take the chance to get to know one another better. Add into this the pompous Sir Harry the Immaculate (Bob Stevens) and Lady Larkin (Hope Ambridge) who fumble through the story leaving a trail of merriment and misunderstandings. And definitely don’t forget to keep your eyes on the ever more debonair Sir Studley (Tristan Authier and that crazy Suit of Armor (Garrett Mitchell).

Student night is coming up on Thursday, March 16, with $12 tickets for students 18 and under with an ASB or ID card. Adults will be regular price at $15 per person. All seats will be regular price for the Friday, March 17, evening show at 7 p.m.

Saturday, March 18, will feature two shows. The family show, sponsored by Aspire Dental of Ponderay, is at 2 p.m. Medieval costumes are encouraged and special fun for kids of all ages such as drawings, giveaways and photos with the Cast on stage will be available. Kids 12 and under get in for $10 at this show. The evening show, at 7 p.m., will be the regular price of $15 per person.

All shows feature a medieval accessory shop in the lobby of the Panida so you can properly outfit your favorite courtly characters with swashbuckling swords, sturdy shields, sparkly crowns, and colorful capes. All proceeds from these extras go directly to support youth theater in our community!

The cast and crew of “Once Upon A Mattress” would love to thank director Jeannie Hunter, vocal director Jon Brownell, choreographer Laurie Buck of Studio 1 Dance, costume director Angie Aller, many other community members who volunteered, and all the sponsors and advertisers for the show – Aspire Dental of Ponderay, Mountain West Bank, Sandpoint Arby’s, Cascade Creek Farm, Sears, 4 Season’s Storage, Ballard Orthodontics and Jim and Diana Carlson — you all helped their dream become a reality!