‘Princess and Pea’ offers new twist on old fable

Tom Titus

When Hans Christian Anderson wrote “The Princess and the Pea” eons

ago, little did he know what he’d wrought. The musical “Once Upon a

Mattress,” inspired by this tale, has become one of the theater’s

most popular attractions, and now we have a goofier, youth-oriented

version titled “The Princess and the Magic Pea.”

The Newport Theatre Arts Center has selected this version of the

age-old story as its summer attraction, geared toward and featuring

youngsters. And, while it may not have the same degree of comic

cleverness as their previous youth shows, such as “Popeye” or “My

Emperor’s New Clothes,” this “Princess” entertains quite effectively.

Terri Miller Schmidt, who also directed the aforementioned

entries, is at the helm of this one as well. Her deft comedic touches

are evident throughout, particularly in the character of the forest’s

prime evil, Witch Zelda, expertly delivered by Teri Ciranna, who also

menaced Popeye last summer as the wretched Sea Hag.

Ciranna employs a speech impediment to underscore her “vicked

vitch” character and uses her vast stage experience to usurp the

spotlight, though her singing voice could use some amplification to

reach beyond the front row. Weak pipes or not, she’s still the most

watchable element of the show, along with Erin Holt’s peripatetic

jester, whose energy could illuminate the stage by itself.

In this version, the young prince (Jed Grabon-Naggar) is

dispatched to the “dark forest” to find a true princess, accompanied

by the ebullient Holt. After a pair of false starts, he discovers

that the third time’s a charmer, in the person of Juliette Finch (who

also plays the witch’s accomplice earlier on).

The royal mummy and daddy are enacted by an illustrious Janet

McGregor and a more tentative Ayal Willner, who seems to find it

difficult to exert his kingly authority. A pseudo princess is

splendidly interpreted by Mary-Pat Gonzalez, much resembling the

swamp princess Winnifred created by Carol Burnett in “Once Upon a

Mattress,” while Skyler Young has some nicely sinister moments as her

scheming brother, Simon.

The youngsters in the show are an engaging bunch, particularly

5-year-old town crier Brandon Scott Lewis, who also hawks the

backstage telegrams. Siblings Sigal and Yael Willner also fall into

the “precious” category, alternately introducing the play’s scenes

with Lewis.

Musical director Laurie Hancock and choreographer Bethany Reid

keep the show humming, though often actors seem to wait uncertainly

for their sound cues. The settings, by the director’s 16th Street

Design, are quite effective, as are the costumes, created by TLC

Costume Design.

It may not be “Once Upon a Mattress,” but “The Princess and the

Magic Pea” comes with its own brand of medieval charm, and the

performances -- particularly those of Ciranna and Holt -- are

calculated to send you home smiling.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His

reviews appear Thursdays and Saturdays.