Imagine whirled peas. It’s coming to Langley in a refined but wacky version of a classic fairy tale now showing at Whidbey Children’s Theater.

The young actors are performing in “Once Upon a Mattress,” a musical remake of “The Princess and the Pea.”

The play will bring families and kids of all ages together to enjoy the this version of the popular fairy tale.

Some of the young actors have never performed in a play before, while others have been acting almost their entire lives. All of the performers have been involved in a WCT production workshop since early January.

The workshop demonstrates various elements in performing and behind-the-scenes work in theater to the young actors.

But the classes are about more than that.

“It’s about working together, learning to respect each other, the directors and our volunteers,” producer Martha Murphy said.

When the actors perform in the play, they reap the benefits of all their hard work, she said.

“The performances are the icing on the cake,” Murphy said.

Murphy was excited to bring a production to stage that’s new to her, and that’s something special for someone who has 25 year’s experience with musicals.

She’s thinks the classic fairy-tale’s comedic elements will be a hit with the audience.

“Comedy works well with children,” Murphy said.

A director from off island is using her talents in the production. Marysville resident Diane Wilson-Simon is directing.

Her daughter, Laurinda Simon, is a visiting New York resident and has also helped with the performance’s musical direction.

Wilson-Simon is a director who was referred to the theater.

“She brings a new perspective of directing to the kids,” Murphy said.

There are other firsts, too.

It’s the first time that 14-year-old Dalton Smith will be performing on stage at WCT. The actor is performing as a knight in “Once Upon a Mattress.” He’s a big fan of the story.

“I like the whole thing. It’s a really great play,” Dalton said.

There are also some young veterans of the stage in the 18-member cast of “Once Upon a Mattress.”

Samantha O’Brochta, 14, has been acting since she was three. She’s playing Princess Winnifred in the production.

O’Brochta said this particular story is different than the original fairy tale.

“If you hear the regular story of the Princess and the Pea, it’s sort of boring,” she said. “But this is a jazzed up version with songs, and stuff that makes it more fun to do.”

O’Brochta’s character is loud and outgoing, and doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her.

O’Brochta said in real-life she can be loud and outgoing at times, but she can also be shy in certain situations. The actor said she lets her outgoing side out when she is performing.

“In some ways I am like her,” she said. “I do try to put that in the character and then I try to build on that.”

Murphy said it’s going to be a fun and entertaining production.

“It’s going to be a show that has a lot of interesting parts for a lot of kids that are acting at different levels,” she said.

“Our ultimate goal is not about a polished performance, it’s about an entertaining performance in which the kids have had personal growth,” Murphy added.

WCT workers want to provide opportunities for kids in performing arts, whether that puts them up on stage, behind the scenes or in one of the seats. Theater employees and volunteers want to make a meaningful impact in kids’ lives in addition to providing entertainment to audiences.

“Every time the audience leaves any production that WCT produces, I want them to come away with the feeling that what’s happening here for the youth of our community is a very positive contribution,” Murphy said.