Looking to impress your future in-laws? You might just need to swim across a moat!
This whimsical approach is featured in Once Upon a Mattress, which premiered at Broadway’s Hudson Theater last week. This musical comedy is an imaginative take on the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale, “The Princess and the Pea,” originally performed in 1959.
In this lively adaptation, Queen Aggravian, played by Ana Gasteyer of Saturday Night Live fame, imposes strict marriage rules on her kingdom until her son, Prince Dauntless, portrayed by Michael Urie from Spamalot, finds a ‘real’ princess who can navigate her tricky tests.
Bringing a unique flavor to the stage is Tony Award winner Sutton Foster as Winnifred, or “Fred,” who climbs the castle walls to save the day in her own charmingly messy way.
Joan Marcus
Foster describes the show as “ridiculously silly,” yet emphasizes it’s essentially about love at its core. She believes the perfect mix of comedy, honesty, and genuine emotion makes the characters truly memorable.
Once Upon a Mattress was conceptualized during a summer camp in the Catskills and made its Broadway debut introducing Carol Burnett as Princess Winnifred. The show had a rocky start but famously rallied to close with a respectable 470 performances, earning two Tony nominations.
This current run at the Hudson Theater, part of New York City Center’s Encores! series, features minimal sets and a star-studded cast, including Brooks Ashmanskas and Daniel Breaker. Director Lear deBessonet retains the straightforward charm from City Center’s production while infusing a fresh perspective. For instance, she limits the color palette and adds quirky elements like a hot pink roller suitcase for Lady Larkin.
To enhance the script, deBessonet enlisted Amy Sherman-Palladino from Gilmore Girls fame, bringing her signature wit and insight into female characters. Foster admires how Winnifred embodies the fearless spirit that can inspire others to embrace their true selves, especially her own daughter.
Joan Marcus
This production portrays Winnifred as an unconventional princess who breathes life into a sometimes cold kingdom. DeBessonet insists the story explores themes of personal transformation and finding one’s voice, particularly for Prince Dauntless, who ventures from insecurity to confident self-assertion as he falls for Winnifred.
Steeped in playful antics, Once Upon a Mattress encourages a sense of camaraderie among its cast and offers the audience a delightful reminder to embrace their quirks and laugh heartily.
Now showing at the Hudson Theater, Once Upon a Mattress runs through November 30.