Theater Works presents “Pauper Princess,” a twist on Mark Twain’s “The Prince and the Pauper.”

The YouthWorks production will take place March 3-19 at the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts, 8355 W. Peoria Ave., Peoria, in the McMillin Theater.

It’s a classic story.

Two identical-looking people from completely different backgrounds switch places. Rich swaps with poor. Poor swaps with rich.

Before Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne, she was just Princess Elizabeth, fending off suitors too old and too fat. Theresa wears rags and scrounges for food.

She’s so desperate she pretends to be a boy so she can be in a play. When Princess and Pauper come face-to-face, when one becomes the other, when King Henry VIII dies and everyone is vying for the Great Seal of England (and we don’t mean the sea animal) who knows what will happen?

Maybe Shakespeare has a clue.

Twenty-four cast members bring the Holly Beardsley tale to life, led by director Mikaella Belsan.

Single tickets for “Pauper Princess” are on sale. General admission tickets are $16. To purchase tickets or find out more about Theater Works and the YouthWorks productions, contact the box office at 623-815-7930 or visit www.theaterworks.org.

The 2017-18 Theater Works Youth Works season will be announced Feb. 23.

Editor’s note: Cate Hinkle is the managing director of Theater Works at Peoria Center for the Performing Arts.