The Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre marches into the new month with a new take on an old tale. The AAC revisits the Hans Christian Andersen classic The Princess and the Pea. Alan Keith Smith wrote the adaptation and Artistic Director Bradley Anderson directs this production.
In Smith’s take on the classic tale, there is an added twist of mistaken identity as the Princess’ servant is thought to be the actual Princess. Though there are new twists, this story still has a Prince, a Queen, twenty mattresses and one tiny pea.
The cast is led by Rachel Haislip as Princess Cordelia, Lucy Miller as her servant Jane, Jeremy Matthey as Prince Perry, Aleigha Morton as Queen Perimeta, John Isner as Womlitt, Michael Pere as Count Quint and Brooke Melton and Rachel Caffey as servants. Though a play, it features a musical score by Lori Isner.
The Princess and the Pea opened public performances on Friday and runs through March 24. During Spring Break week, there will be special matinees at 2pm from March 19 through 22.
While at the Arkansas Arts Center, visitors can also check out numerous outstanding exhibits including Edward Weston: Leaves of Grass and Wendy Maruyama: Executive Order 9066. Dr. Todd Herman is the Executive Director of the Arkansas Arts Center.

