Once Upon A Mattress

The Presidio Theatre is excited to announce the Children’s Theatre Association of San Francisco (CTA) as one if it’s inaugural resident companies, beginning in the 2025/2026 season.

CTA was established in 1934 as an all volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to providing live musical theatre for school children in the San Francisco Bay Area, particularly for those who might not otherwise experience it. Learn more about the Children’s Theatre Association at the CTA website.

A hilarious retelling of “The Princess and the Pea”

“Once Upon a Mattress” is a musical comedy retelling of “The Princess and the Pea”, set in a kingdom where no one can marry until Prince Dauntless finds a bride. The Youth Edition version, suitable for elementary school children, centers on all of the members of the King’s court coming together to try and find Prince Dauntless a bride, while Queen Aggravain keeps rejecting potential brides with impossible tests. When Princess Winifred the Woebegone arrives, her unconventional behavior and strength of character challenge the Queen’s standards, leading to a final, hilarious test involving mattresses and a pea. Children will enjoy the dancing and singing, and meeting the members of the court who are all trying to find the right partner for the Prince, with a blend of classic fairy tale elements and lots of funny twists!