Princess and the Pea

Hans Christian Anderson's "The Princess and the Pea" opens the Children's Theater season on March 6

GILBERT, AZ (January 5, 2010) The Hale Theatre is looking forward to resuming Saturday morning Children’s Theatre. Starting on March 6 the Children’s Theatre will present Hans Christian Anderson’s familiar tale, The Princess and the Pea, followed this Summer by another Anderson favorite, The Little Mermaid. Both plays will be directed by Gary Caswell, resident Childrens' theatre director, and will play at 11:00 AM each Saturday morning

The Story

The Princess and the Pea has become a classic among fairy tales. The story tells of a prince who wants to marry a princess, but is having difficulty finding a suitable partner. Something is always wrong with those he meets, and he cannot be certain they are real princesses. One stormy night a young woman drenched with rain seeks shelter in the prince's castle. She claims to be a Princess, so the prince's grandmother decides to test their unexpected guest by placing a pea in the bed she is offered for the night which is covered by many mattresses and feather beds. Of course she endures a sleepless night because of the pea thus proving to the prince that she truly is a real princess.

Background

When Hans Christian Anderson wrote this little story in 1835 it was not hailed by the critics who felt it was much to chatty and casual, but Anderson said he wanted to tell it as though he was speaking to the children, and the years have proven him right. Not only do children still flock to see this fairy tale over 150 years later, but it was also made into a Broadway Show in 1959 known as Once upon a Mattress starring Carole Burnett, and revived again in 1977 with Sarah Jessica Parker. It has appeared on television starring Liza Minnelli and as a full-length animated film in 2002.

SHOW INFORMATION FOR HALE THEATRE

Hans Christian Anderson's "The Princess and the Pea" opens the Children's Theater season on March 6.

We can hardly wait to bring "The Princes and the Pea" to our Children's Theater. This Hans Christian Anderson classic will charm and wow the children as they watch how the Prince finds out who is and who is not a REAL princess.

If your little princess is having a birthday, or just wants to have a fun party, bringing friends to see "The Princess and the Pea" is a wonderful way to celebrate. And don't forget, the water park across the street has tables and grassy places for birthday cake or lunch after the show. (We'll keep your cake refrigerated for you). But birthday, or not, you'll have a great Saturday morning with your child or grandchild as you introduce them to live theatre with "The Princess and the Pea!

Company:  Hale Centre Theatre
Address:  50 W. Page, Gilbert, AZ, 85233 (just off Gilbert Road between Guadalupe & Elliot)
Show Dates: March 6 - June 26, 2010
Curtain Up:  Saturday mornings at 11:00
Ticket Prices:  $10 for children and $12 for adults
Box Office:  480-497-1181
Box Office Hours: Monday – Thursday 10am – 5pm, Friday – Saturday 10am – 7:30pm
Theater Website: www.haletheatrearizona.com