MEET THE ROYALS! Cast members Pedro Armando Haro (Prince Dauntless), left, Renee Garcia Hartenstein (Princess Winnifred the Woebegone), Tina Shelton (Queen Aggravain) and Lenny Klompus (King Sextimus the Silent) posed for an informal "formal portrait" after Army Community Theatre's "Once Upon a Mattress" opened last Thursday. Haro gives an effective comic performance as a naive young prince tangled in his domineering mother's apron strings, and Hartenstein is perfect as a tough and unpretentious princess from a distant swamp. Shelton and Klompus enhance the show with their work as the duplicitous queen and the mute but expressive king.

HUMERICKHOUSE DOES IT AGAIN: Michelle Baltazar caught up with Mikel Humerickhouse at the post-show cast party. Humerickhouse is the show's sound designer and also designed the props. He makes significant contributions to its success with his work in both areas. Baltazar caught the show during a short visit home; she's now back in New York.

WALKING WOUNDED: Richard Pellett, left, compared notes with Gary Masuoka, Philip Kelley and Jamie Rolfsmeyer. Masuoka was cast as the Jester but was so badly injured during a "hell week" rehearsal that Kelley had to replace him with almost no rehearsals. Pellett says he plans to "lay down my cane" when he subs for Klompus as King Sextimus next Friday.

FOOD FIT FOR A KNIGHT, OR TWO: Ashley Sakai enjoyed the party with "Mattress" knights Jerrick Julio, center, and Julius Mina. The two knights don't have names, but Grace Bell Humerickhouse's choreography gives Julio and Mina several chances to show off their skills at visual comedy -- and to work up a good appetite for pizza on opening night.

A JOB WELL DONE: Lorna Mount, left, relaxed on the set with ACT producer Vanita Rae Smith and "Mattress" stage manager Swaine Kaui. Kaui and his crew maneuver the large castle towers and other set pieces with parade-ground precision. Gorgeous costumes are another asset to ACT's beautiful musical fairy tale. "Mattress" continues tonight and tomorrow. Call 438-4480 or visit www.armytheatre.com.