A princess, a pea and many mattresses are key elements in the fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea.” However, participants in the fall musical “Once Upon a Mattress” will present a new version, according to director Jodi Hatzenbeller.

Hatzenbeller said the play is set during a medieval time period and is based on the fairy tale.

“Ours deviates from the original, because the princess is a little more renegade and rebellious while the queen is incredibly controlling and manipulative,” Hatzenbeller said.

Sophomore Genevieve Bone, who plays Lady Clarisse, said she is excited about this play, because it is a change of pace from plays performed recently.

“I’m glad that we’re finally doing a fantasy piece, not a period piece,” Bone said. “We’ve done plays set in a specific time period, like ‘All Shook Up’ was in the 1950s and ‘The Cat’s Meow’ was in the 1920s. In a fantasy setting, anything can happen for no reason, and logic is not there.”

Hatzenbeller said she directed this show 13 years ago, and she is excited to direct it again with a talented cast.

“It’s a fun show to do. It’s a big hit with audiences, and I wanted to pick a show that had some flexibility in how many females we could use because we typically have more girls audition than boys,” Hatzenbeller said.

The play will exhibit costumes from medieval times in order to accurately portray the play.

Sophomore Claire O’Grady, a member of the costume crew for the show, said she likes the garments for this play.

“The sets and the costumes are amazing because they are bright and colorful,” O’Grady said.

Compared to shows performed recently, Hatzenbeller said “Once Upon a Mattress” is a change of pace.

Hatzenbeller said she thinks the audience will enjoy the show, because it’s lighter than shows done in the past.

“Nobody gets killed, there’s no mystery to it, and it’s very family friendly,” Hatzenbeller said.

The play will show Nov. 15, 16 and 24 at 7 p.m., and Nov. 17 and 24 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $7 for students and seniors and $10 for adults. For more information, call (952) 928-6221.