Can a knock on the door, in the middle of the night, truly change your life? This question and many others are answered in the lively original musical adaptation of "Princess and the Pea" presented by the Abington-based Storybook Musical Theatre first from May 5 to May 16 at the Bluett Theater of St. Joseph's University, 56th & Overbrook Ave in Philadelphia and then from May 27 to June 1 at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center in Huntingdon Valley.

The Hans Christian Andersen tale of a lonely prince, pining for his true love, has been adapted by Storybook's Artistic Director, Patricia Goldberg, with original music by Kevin Arruda.

Tickets are $10.00 for children and $12.00 for adults, with group discounts available. For reservations or more information call: 215-659-8550.

"Princess and the Pea" opens with Prince Louis complaining to his mother, the Queen, about being lonely and her telling him that she has already sent for a princess to be his bride. The only problem is that the Prince and the arriving Prince Jerseylee have absolutely nothing in common. The Prince is still as lonely as before. That is when, in the middle of the night, a disheveled girl knocks on the castle doors. She claims to be a princess who was thrown from her horse and needs somewhere to spend the night. The Prince is smitten with the new arrival, Georgiana, but the queen has her doubts that she is a real princess. She must devise a test to prove her princesshood. She decides to place a small pea under twenty mattresses and if she cannot sleep the night through, then she will have passed the test and can marry the Prince. Will Georgiana pass the test, even after the Queen slips her a sleeping potion? You will have to see the show to find out.

Storybook has gathered five talented, local, professional actors for their cast:

Playing the lonely Prince Louis is David Stahl, of Center City Philadelphia. David is making his Storybook debut in "Princess." He has appeared in "An Imperfect Sonnet" with Cardboard Box Collaborative, "The Age of Consent" with Fabulous Theatre Co. and "Once on this Island" with LMS Productions. He is a graduate of Temple University's theatre program.

Rachel Brennan, of Bridgeport, PA. plays the hopeful bride to be, Georgiana. Rachel was also seen in "Puss 'n Boots as the princess. Her credits include the national tour of "Willy Wonka" and "Nobody's Perfect" for the Kennedy Center. Other credits include "Bye, Bye Birdie," "Into the Woods", "Cabaret" and "Songs for a New World." In addition, she has performed cabarets at both the Kennedy Center in Washington and Odette's in New Hope.

Elizabeth Corkum, of Norristown, PA. is making her Storybook debut as the sometimes-annoying Princess Jerseylee. A recent graduate of Westminster Choir College, Corkum has performed around the country with the Barn Theatre, Granbury Opera House, Galveston Island Musicals and Quisisana Resort. Over the last year, she has appeared in "Law & Order, "Cashmere Mafia," "Gossip Girls," and the upcoming Disney film "Confessions of a Shopaholic."

The conniving Queen is played by Storybook veteran, Maryann Bucci of Yardley, PA. Bucci was seen last season on our stage as the Stepmother in "Cinderella." Other Storybook credits include "Hansel and Gretel," "Pinocchio," "Rapunzel," "Little Red Riding Hood," and "Emperor's New Clothes." Maryann was just seen on the stage of the Academy of Music with the Opera Company of Philadelphia.

Rounding out the cast is David Mulholland, of Bristol, PA., plays the somewhat henpecked King who tries to advise the Prince on the meaning of "the birds and the bees." Mulholland was seen earlier this season as the Ogre in Storybook's "Puss 'n Boots" and the Wizard in "Wizard of Oz," David was recently seen in "No Longer Warriors" at Act Out Theatre. Other regional credits: "Big River" at Mt. Gretna Playhouse, "Our Town" at Delaware Theater Co., "The Snow Queen" at Prince Music Theater and "Only A Girl" with Lightkeeper Productions, which he co-wrote with Jen Faith Brown and has toured Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

Show times for "Princess and the Pea" at St. Joseph's are Saturday, May 3 at 11:00 am, and Tuesday through Friday, May 6 to 9 at10:15 am. The times at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center, May 27 to June 1, are Tuesday to Friday at 10:15 am, Saturday at 11am and Sunday at 2 pm. Reservations are recommended.

Children's tickets are $10.00, Adults are $12.00 with generous school/group discounts available.

All Storybook productions are appropriate for ages 3 and older. As always, everyone gets to meet the cast after each show for a handshake, autograph or photo.

For information or reservations, call box office at 215-659-8550 or visit Storybook's website: www.storybookmusical.org.