Mitchell Wooten, center, as Prince Dauntless, loves Princess Winnifred, left, played by Savannah Folks, but it's hard for his mama, Queen Aggravain, played by Kristie McCarthy, to let her son go.

If you thought you knew Hans Christian Andersen's story of "The Princess and the Pea," wait until you see "Once Upon a Mattress."

The musical spins the well-known fairy tale into a comic tale about a handsome prince's search for true love despite his mama's best efforts to keep him single.

Greg Jackson is directing a cast of about 30 for this production that opens Friday, June 14, for a two-weekend run at The Colonnade in Ringgold,Ga. The cast will be accompanied by a 10-piece orchestra.

"It's told like a princess fairy tale," says Lora Ogden, director of The Colonnade. "It has a lot of good comedic moments and is appropriate for the whole family. The music is fun and the costumes are lively."

The comedy revolves around Prince Dauntless, played by Mitchell Wooten, who is searching for a bride. His mother -- opposed to sharing her son's affection with any other woman -- is set on Dauntless maintaining his bachelor status. So she devices impossible tests for would-be brides to pass before she'll give any marriage her blessing.

One, the "sensitivity test," requires each marriage candidate sleep on a multi-mattress bed under which is hidden a pea. Only the princess whose sleep is disturbed will be acceptable for her son.

"The show starts with Princess No. 12," says Ogden.

Kristie McCarthy plays the role of the over-protective queen and Savannah Folks takes on the role of Winnifred, Princess No. 13, who is Dauntless' true love.

Find out whether Winnifred and Dauntless live happily ever after at one of five performances by The Colonnade Players.

Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.