East Bay College To Showcase Musical Comedy At Summer Event

FREMONT, CA – A musical comedy is heading to the stage at Ohlone College as part of the college’s annual “SummerFest” event happening in July.

The SummerFest production, titled “Once Upon a Mattress,” is a fun take on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Princess and the Pea” fairy tale. Presented by Ohlone’s Theatre & Dance department, it features students, faculty and local performers, according to a news release

“SummerFest is a celebration of community, creativity, and collaboration,” said Christopher Booras, Director of Civic and Smith Center Operations. “With every production, we create opportunities for students, staff, and local talent to share their gifts while enriching the cultural life of the region. This year’s ‘Once Upon a Mattress’ is joyful, smart, and exactly what summer theatre should be—fun for all ages.”

The production will take place on the “Starlight Stage” of the Smith Center, an outdoor venue, on Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12 and on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 17 through 19.

Previous SummerFest productions have included “Grease,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Hairspray.” The event itself brings the community together for a summer celebration, prior to Ohlone College’s fall semester, which gets underway in late August.

“Programs like SummerFest help shape the bright futures of our students and our college community,” said Chris Warden, Dean of Kinesiology, Athletics, and Performing Arts. “Whether it’s behind the scenes or center stage, these productions build confidence, foster creative problem-solving, and develop real-world skills. The impact of the arts extends far beyond the curtain call.”

On each scheduled performance date, the show starts at 8:15 p.m. The July 12 date also features a matinee option, with a show start time of 11 a.m. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation is available at the July 17 show.

Tickets are $18-$30, with a $2 service fee. To purchase tickets, go here.

The Smith Center is located at 43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont.