Scripps Ranch Theatre performed its latest production to a packed house Saturday — and it’s little wonder why. Its staging of the musical comedy “Once Upon a Mattress” is filled with great performances, intricate costumes, impressive choreography and lots of fun and laughter.

Loosely based on the classic fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea” by Hans Christian Andersen, “Once Upon a Mattress” is about an urgent search for a suitable wife for Prince Dauntless the Drab, played by Cameron Williams. No one in the kingdom can marry until he does.

However, his mother, Queen Aggravain (Frank Remiatte), is not ready for her boy to grow up and marry and devises outlandish tests to weed out all contenders for the prince’s hand — especially the loud, brave Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, played by Debbie David.

Although David does not appear until the fifth scene, she gives the most dynamic performance of the show.

Her “Fred” is no meek, demure, fragile princess. Although, she claims to be “Shy” in the self-titled song, the princess is strong, determined and straight forward. David’s energy never seems to wane as she brings the colorful character to life through song, dance and daring speech.

She excels in physical comedy, from diving off part of the stage into the arms of potential suitors to a hodgepodge of “Spanish Panic” dances to a restless night of sleeplessness. If you thought you tossed and turned at night, wait until you see Fred’s efforts to get comfortable upon 22 mattresses and one pea.

David is also a superb singer. Her solo, “Happily Ever After,” is an entertaining, yet innocent, burlesque — hey, she’s wearing a waffle-pattern thermal nightgown.

Another first-rate performance is given by Frank Remiatte as “Queen Aggravain.” Reminiscent of Tony Curtis in “Some Like it Hot” and Nathan Lane in “The Birdcage,” Remiatte uses his falsetto voice and mannish build to an advantage to depict the formidable, scheming queen — from her tiny pretentious crown to her ever-present fan and her high-heeled shoes.

Other great performances are by Cameron Williams as Prince Dauntless, Alisa Williams as Lady Larken, Dave Rivas as the Jester and Susan Boland as the mute King Sextimus. Darci Daniels-Murphy is entertaining as the Minstrel, who guides the show along.

In addition to acting in the show, Alisa Williams also choreographed the sophisticated dance routines. While composed of seemingly simple steps, the show numbers become difficult due to their length, repetition and number of people involved. The high quality of dancing in numbers like “Opening for a Princess,” “Shy” and “Very Soft Shoes” is not what you expect to find in community theater.

Director Raylene Wall said she tried to return to the original intent of the script — written more than four decades ago — and bring back some of the zaniness and “shtick” to the show, rather than perform it as a straight fairy tale.

She definitely succeeded. From “The Apprentice” to Disneyland to Viagra, few things were off limits when it came to poking fun at modern culture. The innuendos are cleverly delivered, however, to go over the heads of young ones and not spoil the show for them. All ages can appreciate the reoccurrence of a rubber chicken.

The musical is a wonderful show for singles and families. At nearly two-and-a-half hours (with intermission) and 18 tunes, it is a long show, however. Some judicious editing of the musical numbers would help.

The show, which only opened last Friday, runs through June 6 at Alliant University’s Legler Benbough Theater, 10455 Pomerado Road, Scripps Ranch.

The dimly lit 15th century castle, replete with torch sconces, dominates the stage. All that is missing is a great fountain, but then where would the cast of 21 play? Not only play, but dance most energetically and treating us to vocal delights. Set Designers Raylene J. Wall and Rick Carlson created an impressive environment whose stone facade, made quite real by Scenic Artist Rosemary King, included swinging walls providing additional playing areas, many on-set (as well as auditorium) entrance areas, and proper thrones. The set immediately immersed the audience in the period.

 Enter the players, all 21 of them. Staging and choreography (Director Wall and Choreographer Alisa Williams) are artfully crafted, making the large scenes flow smoothly, even in a frenetic dance sequence. Kudos to both. This production definitely needed extensive backstage traffic control, deftly handled by Stage Manager Abby Lacey, her assistant Jaime Haire, and their crew. 

It is, however, what happens on stage that we really care about. And what we see in Scripps Ranch Theatre’s production of "Once Upon a Mattress" is pure theatre, pure talent, two hours well spent. Director Wall’s cast is totally professional. Frank F. Remiatte is an absolutely tyrannical Queen Aggravain. Genius casting! She continued her cross-casting with Susan E. V. Boland as King Sextimus the Silent, who mimed amusingly. Dave Rivas is a perfect Jester, flying about on stage recklessly with dialog that took advantage of his multiple-dialect talents. Rivas is complimented by Darci Daniels-Murphy, the minstrel who sets up the plot from time-to-time. Debbie David, Winnifred - Prince Dauntless’ (Cameron Williams) love interest, was charming as a tomboy princess with a voice moving from pure gold to harsh and antic. David is uniquely versatile, at moments demure and sweet, only to turn in an instant to playful and commanding. Williams’ Prince Dauntless, obviously a product of too much inbreeding, was a delight. 

"Once . . ." is much more than the principals, the story calls upon the supporting roles in various subplots. David Ainsworth is Sir Harry with an on and off relationship with his pregnant love, Lady Larkin, played by Choreographer Alisa Williams. Other sub-plots keep the show moving at a fast pace. Brett Daniels, as the Wizard, seems to be plotting with more than just the Queen. The court includes many handsome gentlemen played by Jason Ranard, Eric Sundquist, Anthony Moreno, and Eric Gonzales. The elegantly dressed ladies include actresses Cornell Ellison, Karina Montgomery, Bonnie Nicholls, and  Megan Dueck. The staff are played by Jamie Haire, renée levine, and Karen E. Donahue. It should be noted that renée levine has returned to a maid’s role once again - hopefully not being type-cast. Kimberly Wyatt is Princess No. 12, who loses her chance to wed Prince Dauntless early on. She returns as a young wench, so we do get to see her acting talents in her debut performance with SRT.

 "Once . . ." is a stellar production blessed with the triple threat of excellence in acting, singing, and dancing. Much of the credit must go to Choreographer Alisa Williams and Musical Director Ric Shaffer. Shaffer has done an outstanding with the score and the talent. The costumes are absolutely magnificent thanks to Costume Designer Elaine Brammel. Karen Filijan designed the lighting, which gave the set many changes and moods throughout the production. Michael Shapiro did his usual excellent sound design.