‘Once Upon A Mattress’ Theater Review: Sutton Foster Channels Carol Burnett In A Winning Fairy Tale Revival On Broadway

The Broadway musical revival of Once Upon a Mattress offers energetic performances and a fresh approach to the beloved fairy tale.

A fairy-tale version of Hans Christian Andersen’s “Princess and the Pea” premiered on Broadway in 1959, with a book by Marshall Barer, Jay Thompson and Dean Fuller, and music and lyrics by composer Mary Rodgers. The show, which launched the career of Carol Burnett, has been somewhat overlooked in recent years, making this new-generation revisitation as a delightful surprise.

The production is led by the winning performances of Sutton Foster as Princess Winifred the Woebegone and Michael Urie as Prince Dauntless. Foster’s ability to channel the antics makes the production a success, and Urie‘s elevated portrayal of Prince Dauntless makes him a star in his own right.

The direction by Lear deBessonet and the script adaptation by Amy Sherman-Palladino offer a refreshingly modern update to this classic. 

Several standout performances include Daniel Breaker as the Jester and Brooks Ashmanskas as the Wizard, Ana Gasteyer as Queen Aggravain and Will Chase as Prince Harry.

Once Upon A Mattress is now playing at Broadway’s Hayes Theater. Get tickets now!

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