In the tradition of Once Upon a Mattress, Village Theatre’s The Gypsy King is a fractured fairy tale with all the familiar markings: a prince and a pauper who look uncannily alike; a dastardly villain deserving his own Disney character; countless one-liners (some good, some terrible); and a love story at its core. There isn’t anything particularly fresh or new about this world premiere by writer-composer (and former Seattle actor) Randy Rogel—the villain actually says “You haven’t seen the last of me!”—but what The Gypsy King does have are two outstanding leads who are the walking (and singing, and dancing) embodiment of Village Theatre’s professionalism.

Eric Ankrim (Peter in SCT’s Peter Pan) stars as Frederick, a role he originated when VT workshopped the show in 2008-2009. He’s the younger half of a traveling father-son act singing for its supper, who wants nothing more than to find a nice girl and lay down some roots. Enter Katherine Strohmaier as Anisette, a princess on the lam who wants to see a whole new world (sound familiar?). There’s a spark—and palpable chemistry—between the fair-faced Frederick and Anisette…weird, ‘cause he looks a little like her brother, Prince Alfonse (also played by Ankrim).

Things get a bit madcap from here, but Ankrim handles the dual role skillfully, shifting so convincingly between haughty prince and lovable gypsy boy that you start to wonder if he’s sharing the scene with an actual twin. It’s a fine bit of staging by director Richard Gray, keeping the illusion alive for the entire show as Ankrim sprints back and forth backstage. You can’t take your eyes off the charming hero with the limitless supply of energy, who even dances on a faux fireplace’s mantel in the second act’s jazzy showstopper “The King is Back.” And in shared scenes, Strohmaier holds her own with a clear, lovely voice that fills the theater. It’s an incredibly likable pair—and even if some of the show’s supporting cast screech their lines or the gags are recycled, you want to watch, just to see if the two will live happily ever after.

The Gypsy King runs through May 23.