When it comes to laugh-out-loud funny, no one can do it better than Patti Cogley. She brings her talents to the role of Queen Aggravain in the Hutchinson Theatre Company musical comedy, "Once Upon a Mattress."

Queen Agravain is an overbearing mother who is committed to keeping her son, Prince Dauntless the Drab (Logan Schumacher), tied tightly to her apron strings. She has declared that he’ll only marry a true princess of royal blood. To determine the princess’ worthiness, the queen comes up with diabolical challenges such as tests of strength or knowledge knowing full well that the princess will never pass. The idea is for the queen to appear she is being fair, but she is actually stacking the deck to prevent her son’s marriage.

Meanwhile, the queen’s husband, King Sextimus the Silent (Tyler Lauer), is working overtime to stay out of his wife’s way. His actions are worth the price of admission. Thanks to a witch’s curse, he can’t speak, but that doesn’t limit his ability to communicate. He pantomimes his thoughts which are interpreted by the Jester (Chuck Peterson).

Everything is going the queen’s way until Sir Harry (Ben Ballard) steps forward with the idea of crossing the mountains to find a true princess for the prince to marry. Sir Harry has his own reasons for volunteering his services. The queen allows him to depart on his quest knowing full well, he won’t succeed.

But he does.

Sir Harry brings Princess Winnifred (Chersti Rydning) to the castle. Unlike the other princesses, this one just might be up to challenging the queen.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and show starts at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 7-9, at the Hutchinson High School Auditorium, 1200 Roberts Road. This year, the auditorium is air conditioned and everyone has a reserved seat. Tickets are on sale, adults: $13.50 and students: $9.50, online at www.hutchtheatre.org [2], at the Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce office, or at the door. For more information, call (320) 587-2599.

(Kay Johnson is a staff writer at the Hutchinson Leader. She can be reached at johnson@hutchinsonleader.com [3]).