The UALR Department of Theatre Arts and Dance will open its 2011-2012 season with the musical comedy, “Once Upon a Mattress,” Thursday, Oct. 6, to Sunday, Oct. 9, at University Theatre in the Center for the Performing Arts.

“Once Upon an Mattress” is based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, “The Princess and the Pea.” Now I’m no Siskel or Ebert, but I got a sneak peak at the rehearsal, and I give this show two thumbs up!

Jay Raphael, chair of the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance, says this is the first musical the department has staged since adding dance to its menu. The orchestra pit of the University Theatre has been opened and refurbished, and “Mattress” promises to be a lavish and unique production.

The production debuted in 1959, and theatre buffs will remember that this is the show that launched Carol Burnett’s career. I predict the UALR performance will be instrumental for launching the careers of our own student actors, singers, and dancers.

I met two of the lead actors, Memory Apata and Timothy “TJ” Medel, both from Bryant. Memory is an applied music major. She is a beautiful soprano and is planning a career in the opera and/or acting. TJ is a junior majoring in theatre and has big dreams of shadowing a Def Jam poet after he earns his degree. From there he hopes to join the cast of “Second City” or “Saturday Night Live.”

Performances will be at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday and 7 p.m. on Friday. Matinee performances will be at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $7 general admission and $5 for students. For tickets, call the theatre box office at 501-569-3456.