Jay Thompson

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Jay Thompson co-wrote the book for ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, and wrote the book, music and lyrics for the opera THE BIBLE SALESMAN and the one-act musical THE OLDEST TRICK IN THE WORLD. He also wrote POCKETFUL OF WRY, a musical revue. He composed words and music for the song "Jimmy" which was sung by Julie Andrews in the film Thoroughly Modern Millie. He has also created special material for Carol Channing, Dorothy Loudon, Imogene Coca and other funny ladies. He has directed ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, BORN YESTERDAY, POCKETFUL OF WRY, ANNIE, FORUM, SWEET CHARITY, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, LAUGHING MATTER, and THE OLDEST TRICK IN THE WORLD.

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Photos: New York City Center Encores! ONCE UPON A MATTRESS Celebrates Closing Night

New York City Center Encores! season kicked off with Once Upon a Mattress, which officially closed on February 4, 2024. BroadwayWorld was there to celebrate the show's final performance. Check out photos of the cast taking their final bows and celebrating at the after party.

Video: Michael Urie Performs 'An Opening For A Princess' In Encores! ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

Up next at New York City Center, the Encores! season kicks off with Once Upon a Mattress, running January 24 through February 4, 2024. See star Michael Urie performing 'An Opening For a Princess,' in newly released video of the production below!

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS: YOUTH EDITION Comes to NPAC in February

Join in for an enjoyable journey as Nettingham Performing Arts Company presents 'Once Upon A Mattress: Youth Edition' in the Nettingham Middle School Auditorium.

Video: Watch More Songs from Encores! ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

Up next at New York City Center, the Encores! season kicks off with Once Upon a Mattress, running January 24 through February 4, 2024.  Check out more video highlights of the cast in action!

Review Roundup: ONCE UPON A MATTRESS Opens at New York City Center Encores!

Read the reviews for Once Upon a Mattress, now playing at New York City Center Encores!

Photos: First Look at Sutton Foster, J. Harrison Ghee & More in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

Up next at New York City Center, the Encores! season kicks off with Once Upon a Mattress, running January 24 through February 4, 2024. Check out a first look at the cast in action here!

Video: See Sutton Foster & More in Highlights From Encores! ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

Check out vide footage from the Encores! production of Once Upon a Mattress.

Video: ONCE UPON A MATTRESS Stars J. Harrison Ghee, Cheyenne Jackson, and Nikki Renee Daniels Gear Up for City Center

See some of the stars of the upcoming Once Upon A Mattress in action as they gear up for their City Center run. Watch as Tony Award-winner J. Harrison Ghee performs “Many Moons Ago” with Nikki Renée Daniels (Lady Larken) and Cheyenne Jackson (Sir Harry) peforming, 'In a Little While”.

VIDEO: Watch the First Day with The Encores! Orchestra for ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

Watch the 26-piece Encores! Orchestra, led by Music Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell, play SHY in preparation for ONCE UPON A MATTRESS here!

Harriet Sansom Harris Joins the Cast of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS at Encores!

Harriet Sansom Harris is joining the cast of Once Upon A Mattress at New York City Center Encores! next year. Playing the role of Queen Aggravain, Harris reunites with Sutton Foster, who she previously starred alongside of in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Nikki Renée Daniels, J. Harrison Ghee, Cheyenne Jackson & More Join Encores! ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

NEW YORK CITY CENTER announced additional casting for the first production of the 30th Encores! series, Once Upon a Mattress. Find out who will join the star-studded company!

Stage West Opens Season With ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

How do you tell a real princess from a wannabe?  You’ll have a grand time finding out, as Stage West, in a co-production with Theatre TCU, presents the charming, classic fairytale musical Once Upon a Mattress, which begins a 3-week run on Thursday, October 19.  Learn more about the production here!

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS Comes to Conejo Players Theatre Next Month

Conejo Players Theatre presents Once Upon a Mattress by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer. Learn more about the play and find out how to get tickets here!

Sutton Foster-Led ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, PAL JOEY with Ephraim Sykes and Jennifer Holliday Set for New York City Center's 2023/24 Season

New York City Center has announced programming for the 2023 – 2024 Season, 80 Years at the Center of the Arts, which will include productions of Pal Joey, Titanic, Once Upon a Mattress, Jelly's Last Jam, and more!

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, POTUS, and More Set For Season 45 at Stage West

Stage West is excited to announce the lineup for its 45th season!   The new season will feature six shows, one of which will be a co-production. Four will be presented in the Evelyn Wheeler Swenson Theatre (“The Evie”), with two in the Jerry Russell Theatre.. It’s a unique mix of 1 musical and 5 plays, which range from an intriguing drama to a delight-inducing comedy-mystery to a much-loved classic. 

Beck Center For The Arts Presents ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

Beck Center for the Arts, one of the oldest continuously running Youth Theater programs in the nation has announced the delightful Youth Theater musical production, Once Upon A Mattress.

Artist George Gadson's Artworks Revealed at Historic Location

Broward County's Cultural Community shone bright in May, when friends, community activists, artists, dignitaries; and historians gathered to celebrate the opening of L.A. Lee YMCA/Mizell Community Center. This former site of Provident Hospital, the first Black Hospital in Broward County, established courageously in 1938 during segregation, is today located along Fort Lauderdale's cultural, historically-significant Sistrunk Boulevard.

Cast Announced for Theo Ubique's ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre’s third show of the 2021-’22 season will be the hilarious musical comedy ONCE UPON A MATTRESS – a rowdy and mildly adult twist on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Princess and the Pea.”

BWW Feature: MASH NOTE TO ONCE UPON A MATTRESS at Swift Creek Mill Theatre

Swift Creek Mill has had a lot of eras that could be called golden, but for me the period around 2008 was memorable. In particular, I recall loving their production that year of a?oeOnce Upon a Mattress.'

STAGE TUBE: On This Day, May 11 - ONCE UPON A MATTRESS Opens On Broadway

Today in 1959, Once Upon a Mattress opened at the Phoenix Theatre, where it ran for 244 performances. Once Upon a Mattress is a musical comedy with music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer. The play was written as an adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale The Princess and the Pea. Once Upon A Mattress marked the Broadway debut of later stage and TV legend Carol Burnett, who originated the role of Princess Winnifred. Also featured were Joseph Bova, Allen Case, Jack Gilford and Matt Mattox. Jane White played the role of Queen Aggravain, becoming the first African-American actress to portray a white character on the Broadway stage.

Jay Thompson FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Jay Thompson written?

Jay Thompson has written 2 shows including Royal Flush (Bookwriter), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Composer/Lyricist).

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