Previews are underway for the Broadway return of Once Upon a Mattress, which began performances July 31 at the Hudson Theatre. Opening night will be
August 12, with the limited run set to continue through November 30. The
production comes to the Main Stem via New York City Center Encores!,
and with much of the cast reprising their roles from that run earlier this year.
Among those returning are two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster as Princess Winnifred, along with Michael Urie as Prince Dauntless, Nikki Renée Daniels as Lady Larken, David Patrick Kelly as King Sextimus the Silent, and Kara Lindsay as the standby for Princess Winnifred. New for the Broadway bow are Ana Gasteyer as Queen Aggravain, Will Chase as Sir Harry, Daniel Breaker as the Jester, and Brooks Ashmanskas as the Wizard.
The ensemble includes Daniel Beeman, Wendi Bergamini, Taylor Marie Daniel, Cicily Daniels, Ben Davis, Oyoyo Joi, Amanda LaMotte, Michael Olaribigbe, Adam Roberts, Jeffrey Schecter, Darius Wright, and Richard Riaz Yoder. Swings Sheldon Henry and Sarah Michele Lindsey round out the company.
Get a first look at the Broadway company in the photo gallery below:
Ana Gasteyer and company of Once Upon a Mattress
Sutton Foster, Michael Urie, and company of Once Upon a Mattress
Amanda LaMotte, Michael Urie, and Brooks Ashmanskas in Once Upon a Mattress
Sutton Foster in Once Upon a Mattress
Sutton Foster in Once Upon a Mattress
Ana Gasteyer and Michael Urie in Once Upon a Mattress
Sutton Foster in Once Upon a Mattress
Ana Gasteyer, Sutton Foster, and company of Once Upon a Mattress
Sutton Foster in Once Upon a Mattress
Sutton Foster and company of Once Upon a Mattress
Daniel Breaker and Brooks Ashmanskas in Once Upon a Mattress
Daniel Breaker and company of Once Upon a Mattress
David Patrick Kelly, Michael Urie, and Ana Gasteyer in Once Upon a Mattress
Company of Once Upon a Mattress
Sutton Foster and company of Once Upon a Mattress
Michael Urie and company of Once Upon a Mattress
Ana Gasteyer, Michael Urie, Will Chase, and Nikki Renee Daniels in Once Upon a Mattress
Michael Urie, Sutton Foster, and company in Once Upon a Mattress
Will Chase and Nikki Renee Daniels in Once Upon a Mattress
Daniel Breaker and company of Once Upon a Mattress
Sutton Foster and company of Once Upon a Mattress
David Patrick Kelly, Nikki Renee Daniels, and Daniel Breaker in Once Upon a Mattress
Company of Once Upon a Mattress
Featuring a book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer; music by Mary Rodgers; and lyrics by Barer, Once Upon a Mattress is a comedic retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale The Princess and the Pea. The musical, which premiered Off-Broadway in 1959, launched the career of Carol Burnett, who starred in the work's original Off-Broadway and Broadway bows along with a string of live TV productions. The musical has since become a favorite at high schools and theatre groups around the world. This revival features a book adaptation penned by Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls).
Read reviews for the Encores! run here.
Following the Broadway run, Foster and Urie (further casting is to be announced) will take the revival to Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre via Center Theatre Group, with performances beginning December 10 and continuing through January 5, 2025.
Also back from the Encores! production is director Lear deBessonet. She's reassembled much of her Encores! creative team, including choreographer Lorin Latarro; scenic designer David Zinn; costume designer Andrea Hood; sound designer Kai Harada; hair, wig, and makeup designer J. Jared Janas; and physical comedy and effect designer Skylar Fox. New for the Broadway bow is lighting designer Justin Townsend. Cody Renard Richard is production stage manager, and casting is by The Telsey Office's Craig Burns.
The transfer has also elected to use orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin, who scored the work's 1996 Broadway revival. Encores! Music Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell serves as music supervisor, with Annbritt duChateau as music director and Kimberlee Wertz as music coordinator.
The revival is the eighth Encores! production to play the Main Stem, following earlier transfers of Chicago, The Apple Tree, Gypsy, Finian's Rainbow, After Midnight, Violet (which originated as a New York City Center Encores! Off-Center production, also starring Foster), and Into the Woods. A 2000 Encores! concert of Wonderful Town also inspired a full Broadway revival in 2003.
Visit OnceUponaMattress.com.
