A Beloved Musical Comes to Life at Sonoma Arts Live |
Laughs, heart, and unforgettable performances await as Once Upon a Mattress takes the stage at Andrews Hall for a limited summer run. |
Something magical is unfolding on East Napa Street this summer, and theater lovers across the valley would be wise to grab their seats before the curtain rises.
The Once Upon a Mattress musical has arrived in Sonoma, and it is exactly the kind of spirited, laugh-out-loud production this community was made for.
Sonoma Arts Live, the beloved nonprofit theater company rooted in the heart of wine country, is staging this Tony Award–nominated gem on the historic Rotary Stage inside Andrews Hall at the Sonoma Community Center.
The show runs Thursday evenings at 7:30 PM and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM through early August, giving residents plenty of chances to experience one of musical theater's most endearing comedies.
Directed by Larry Williams, this live theater production in Sonoma brings the classic fairy tale of Princess Winnifred and Prince Dauntless to vivid, uproarious life.
Two standout performances anchor the show — Daniela Innocenti Beem as the irrepressible Swamp Princess Winnifred and Tim Setzer as the lovably awkward Prince Dauntless.
Together, they bring warmth and comic electricity to a story about a kingdom where no one may marry until the prince finds his match — and the scheming Queen Aggravain intends to make sure that never happens.
There is something deeply satisfying about watching neighbors pour their hearts into a stage built generations ago — and SAL consistently delivers that rare feeling.
Sonoma Arts Live has built a reputation for inclusive, high-quality performances that reflect the valley's diversity and spirit.
Tickets are available for all ages and run between twenty-five and forty-two dollars — a genuinely reasonable price for an evening of live theater in one of Northern California's most charming communities. |
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Early August end date means time is already running short. Don't be the person who says 'oh I kept meaning to go' after it closes. Just get the tickets now.
Bill CastronovoSaid this to my husband last night. We did the same thing with their spring show and were kicking ourselves. Tickets are already bought this time.
Nonprofit theater doing a Tony-nominated musical with a volunteer cast in a 112-year-old building — if that's not a story worth showing up for I don't know what is. See you Sunday! 🎶
nina_arts_fanSee you there! I'm going Sunday too. Grabbed two seats near the aisle so my mom can get out easily. Can't wait.
That's exactly the spirit — and we hope to see you in those Sunday seats! Few things beat the combination of a volunteer cast, a century-old stage, and a story this joyful.
SAL consistently punches above its weight for a community theater company. I've seen regional productions of the same shows with bigger budgets that were less fun to watch. Something about local heart that you can't fake.
Daria MontoyaTotally agree. I think the stakes feel higher when you know the people on stage are doing it out of pure love for it. That energy is contagious in a way a polished touring production just isn't.
Queen Aggravain scheming to stop her son from marrying — honestly sounds like some family reunions I've been to. Too close to home. 😂
Queen Aggravain does have a certain universally recognizable energy, doesn't she — we'll just say the scheming is much funnier when it's onstage! 😄
I keep meaning to volunteer with SAL or at least come to more shows and then summer slips by. This is my sign to actually do it. Booking tickets tonight.
Francesca WhitmanDo it! I volunteered with SAL a couple seasons ago and it was honestly one of the best decisions I made. Really welcoming group of people.
The price point actually surprised me in a good way. Northern California live theater can get expensive fast. SAL keeping it accessible is really appreciated.
SAL is genuinely committed to keeping live theater within reach, and at $25–$42, they've found a sweet spot that respects both the art and the audience's wallet.
Does anyone know if parking around the Sonoma Community Center on Thursday nights is rough? That's usually my hesitation for anything downtown in the summer.
My neighbor is in the cast and has been rehearsing for months. The amount of work these volunteers put in is no joke. Please go support them — they deserve a full house every night.
Skeptical it lives up to the hype every summer but I keep getting proven wrong by SAL. Fine. I'll buy a ticket. Again.
Swamp Princess Winnifred is hands down one of the most fun female leads in classic musical theater. She's loud and clumsy and brave and I love her. Dying to see how Daniela plays it.
Daniela Innocenti Beem brings real comic electricity to Winnifred, and if her fearless, full-throttle performance is any indication, your love for the character is about to get even bigger.
The Sunday matinee schedule is so thoughtful. Not everyone wants to be out on a Thursday night. Two PM is perfect for those of us who like to be home before dark, ha.
That 2:00 PM Sunday matinee is a gift — plenty of time to linger over a glass of local wine beforehand and still be home well before evening!
Larry Williams directing again — good sign. He knows how to keep things moving and not let the comedy fall flat. SAL made a solid choice there.
Went last Thursday and laughed the entire way through. The ensemble scenes are chaotic in the best possible way. Honestly wasn't expecting it to be that polished for a community production — super impressed.
Once Upon a Mattress doesn't get enough credit. People forget it's the show that basically launched Carol Burnett's career on Broadway. Now THAT's a legacy to live up to. No pressure, cast! 😄
Love that this is a nonprofit and that the cast is volunteers. That kind of dedication to the community is what makes Sonoma special. Makes me want to actually show up and support them.
112 years old is wild to think about. How many productions have been staged on that Rotary Stage? Would love to know the history of that room.
Greg TullmanRight?? Andrews Hall was built in 1912 if I'm remembering right. The Sonoma Community Center probably has some archives on it — might be worth calling them. I'd guess hundreds of productions at this point.
Thursday evenings at 7:30 work perfectly for me. Already blocked it on the calendar. East Napa Street has been having a good summer honestly.
west_side_wendyEast Napa has really come alive lately. Between this and a few of the other things going on this summer it's been a good stretch for the neighborhood.
Thursday at 7:30 is a lovely mid-week treat, and you're right — East Napa Street has been full of good energy this summer, with SAL leading the way.
I've always loved this musical. The Queen Aggravain character is one of the great comic villains in theater and when she's done right the whole show just sings. Literally. 😂 Hoping SAL delivers on that role too.
P. NakamuraI saw a production years ago where the actress playing Aggravain absolutely stole every scene she was in. When that role lands it's genuinely hilarious. Fingers crossed SAL nails it!
We took our kids to the last SAL production and they talked about it for weeks. Thinking Once Upon a Mattress might be our summer tradition this year. Anyone know if it's okay for younger kids, like 7 or 8?
Tim Setzer as the awkward prince?? Perfect casting. That man has great comic timing. This is going to be SO good.
Andrews Hall is such a special place to watch a show. There's something about that old building that just adds to the whole experience. Been going there for years and it never gets old.
$25–$42 for live theater in Sonoma is honestly a steal. People pay three times that for a meal on the plaza. Go support local arts, folks.
Dave_SonomaExactly. And parking is free, the walk from the plaza takes five minutes, and you're home by 10. There's really no excuse not to go.
Saw Daniela Innocenti Beem in a SAL show a couple years back and she was absolutely hilarious. Can only imagine what she does with Winnifred — that role was basically written for someone with her energy. Already texting my sister to grab tickets for a Sunday matinee! 🎭