The third production of the 2016 season at Hackmatack Playhouse is the family musical comedy “Once Upon a Mattress.” The music was composed by Mary Rodgers (the very talented daughter of Richard and Dorothy Rodgers), lyrics by Marshall Barer and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer. It opened off Broadway in l959 but moved to Broadway in l997 and was seen on “The Wonderful World of Disney” in 2005 with Carol Burnett playing the role of Queen Aggravain.

Hackmatack is a repertory company. What this means is it can’t take many months to prepare for a performance. When one show is playing, the cast is already rehearsing the next one. I could not help but notice (and admire) the fact that most of the principals of “On the Town” were in the chorus of this show.

And speaking of this show which opened on the 27th, it is an entertaining, funny and musically engaging production. The first thing I noticed (and admired) was the set by Jerod J. Craven. The lighting by Michael Turner added to the effectiveness of the set. The costume design by Fran Bechtold was imaginative and she did double duty by being in the chorus.

The story can be summed up as follows: Many ladies vie for the hand of Prince Dauntless (Drew Masse) but none are good enough for Queen Aggravain (Jess Andra, who was also Madame Dilly in “On the Town”). Via swimming the moat, enter Princess Winnifred (Lisa Joyce). The prince falls in love with Winnifred at first sight and the Queen devises a test that she thinks Winnifred cannot pass: She will place a pea underneath a pile of two dozen mattresses. If she cannot sleep because of the “lumpy” mattress, then she really is a princess and the prince can then marry her.

The principal I salute most is Lisa Joyce. Her star shines brighter and her voice out-volumes all the others. Predicting stardom is a risky enterprise, but I’d like to go on record stating that I think that she has every attribute for an outstanding career in show business. Also outstanding in his role as the mute, henpecked king is Chris Gemp. He has to indicate his part almost entirely by pantomime. The scene where he tries to explain the “birds and bees” to the prince is hilarious. Meg Ward, whose sweet soprano voice was used to cause the princess to sleep is not only effective but enchanting as well. There is a subplot around two lovers who quarrel, Lady Larkin (Sara Sargent) and Sir Harry (Taylor Morrow), and then make up. The balance of the cast is rounded up by Melissa Zeller energetically playing the Jester and Christian Arnold as the wily Wizard. Outstanding songs include: “Shy and Happily Ever,” and “The Swamps of Home” (with the female singers) sung by Joyce; “Song of Love” sung by Masse; and “Sensitivity” sung by Andra and Arnold.

Much credit was earned by Adam MacDougall for his role as music director and pianist as well as his colleagues Jack Kupp (clarinet); Sarah Hasem (flute/piccolo); Max Richardson (trumpet) and Evan Kesel (percussion). The singing of the principals along with the 11 singers was most enjoyable as was their dancing. Amara Decker, who choreographed the dancing, did splendid work. The entire enterprise was guided by Alexis Dascoulias who used every inch of the stage to great advantage. The show will be performed Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8 with matinees on Aug. 4 and Aug. 11 at 2. Tickets may be obtained by calling 698- 1807 or on the www.hackmatack.org.

— Morton Gold is a composer/conductor and retired educator and an arts reviewer for the Journal Tribune.