The Augusta Players close out their “Girl Power” season Mother’s Day weekend on a bittersweet note.
“In 1978 when Scott (Seidl) was a freshman in high school, this was the first show he was in, in the ensemble. We had lots of laughs about it, lots of fun talking about it. He was scheming and dreaming; there was always something in his head,” said Roy Lewis who is directing “Once Upon a Mattress” in Seidl’s stead.
Seidl, the Augusta Players’ executive and artistic director, died on Nov. 23, 2025.
Seidl had asked Lewis to help him with the show with Lewis directing and Seidl serving as musical director. Seidl later changed his mind, opting for the directorial role with Lewis playing the role of the king – who stays silent during the show. Lewis admitted that would be a tough role for him, but he would give it his best.
While Seidl didn’t go into too much of his directorial vision with Lewis, there are a few key details and secrets Seidl divulged that Lewis plans to implement.
Based on “The Princess and the Pea” fairy tale, “Once Upon a Mattress” was written in 1959. The legendary comedienne Carol Burnett made her Broadway debut as Princess Winnifred, receiving a 1960 Tony Award nomination and Theatre World Award for best leading actress. In 1972, she reprised the role in a televised version.
The play has been revived twice with Sutton Foster taking on the role of Princess Winnifred in 2024.
This isn’t the first time Lewis has been involved with the show.
In 1988, he played the role of Prince Dauntless opposite Barbara Feldman, the founder of Storyland Theatre, which operated for 35 years.
It was a daunting experience, he said.
“You’d better bring your A-game (with her),” he said. “I had to fight to stay on stage with her.”
He also directed the show when he was a teacher at Harlem High School.
Despite the sadness of losing Seidl, the performers plan to bring to the stage something they feel the world needs more of – laughter.
“We are having a lot of fun,” said Lewis.
Lily Branigan, who plays Winnifred, watched multiple performances while creating her own version of the princess, but she said she’s definitely inspired by Burnett and her rendition.
“She’s stellar. She’s so funny,” said Branigan.
And in homage to Burnett, Branigan will let out Burnett’s signature Tarzan yell during the show.
“Once Upon a Mattress” will be at 7:30 p.m. May 8-9 and at 3 p.m. May 10 at the Imperial Theatre. For tickets, go here.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named Augusta Magazine’s best local writer in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
