Once Upon a Mattress 1959 - Articles Page 3.4

Opened: May 11, 1959

Once Upon a Mattress - 1959 - Broadway History , Info & More

Phoenix Theatre
189 Second Avenue New York, NY 10009

If you thought you knew the story of "The Princess and the Pea", you may be in for a walloping surprise! Did you know, for instance, that Princess Winifred actually swam the moat to reach Prince Dauntless the Drab? Or that it may not have been the pea at all that caused the Princess a sleepless night? Carried on a wave of beguiling songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on on the familiar classic of royal courtship and comeuppance provides for some side-splitting shenanigans. Chances are, you will never look at fairy tales in quite the same way again.

Once Upon a Mattress - 1959 - Broadway Cast

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Once Upon a Mattress - 1959 - Broadway Articles Page 3.4

Remembering Beth Howland in LI'L ABNER, COMPANY and on The Tony Awards
by Michael Dale - May 25, 2016


Before playing the ultimate nervous bride in COMPANY, Howland was an ensemble member of several Broadway musicals.

Original COMPANY Cast Member & 'ALICE' Star Beth Howland Dies at 74
by Caryn Robbins - May 25, 2016


eth Howland, perhaps best known as sweet but clumsy waitress Vera Louise Gorman in the 1970's sitcom ALICE, passed away from lung cancer on Dec. 31, 2015, in Santa Monica, CA. She was 74

STAGE TUBE: On This Day for 5/11/16- ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
by Nicole Rosky - May 11, 2016


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.

Gettysburg Community Theatre to Present ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
by Tyler Peterson - Feb 12, 2016


Gettysburg Community Theatre, the non-profit 501c3 organization located in the original Elks Lodge building at 49 York Street within the first block of Lincoln Square in historic downtown Gettysburg, opens its second production of their 8th season with the zany musical Once Upon a Mattress. The production will perform at GCT at 7pm on February 26, March 11, 12, 18 and 19, and also at 2pm on February 27, 28, March 6 and 13.

VIDEO: Watch Carol Burnett's Moving SAG AWARD Acceptance Speech
by Caryn Robbins - Jan 31, 2016


During the ceremony, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler presented Carol Burnett with the 52nd Life Achievement Award, following a filmed salute to the comedic trailblazer, actor, singer, dancer, producer and author.

VIDEO: Sneak Peek - Carol Burnett Returns to CBS's HAWAII FIVE-O Tonight
by TV News Desk - Jan 15, 2016


Carol Burnett returns as McGarrett's Aunt Deb on CBS's HAWAII FIVE-0. Watch a sneak peek!

Exclusive Photo Flash: BROADWAY: BEYOND THE GOLDEN AGE Premieres at Palm Springs International Film Festival!
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 8, 2016


BROADWAY: BEYOND THE GOLDEN AGE, Award-winning director Rick McKay's anxiously awaited sequel to his 2004 hit film, BROADWAY: THE GOLDEN AGE, just made its World Premiere to a sold-out crowd at the 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. Check out photos from the big night below!

VIDEO: Sneak Peek - Carol Burnett Returns to CBS's HAWAII FIVE-O
by Caryn Robbins - Jan 8, 2016


Carol Burnett returns as McGarrett's Aunt Deb on CBS's HAWAII FIVE-0. Watch a sneak peek!

Rick McKay's BROADWAY: BEYOND THE GOLDEN AGE Premieres Tonight at 2016 Palm Springs International Film Festival
by BWW News Desk - Jan 7, 2016


BROADWAY: BEYOND THE GOLDEN AGE, Award-winning director Rick McKay's anxiously awaited sequel to his 2004 hit film, BROADWAY: THE GOLDEN AGE, will make its World Premiere at the 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival tonight, January 7. The festival runs through January 11, 2016.

PODCAST: Chatting and Kvetching With ONCE UPON A MATTRESS' Jackie Hoffman and John Epperson
by Michael Dale - Dec 23, 2015


The stars of Transport Group's wacky new production talk about the origins of the classic musical and on bringing their own styles to the show.

Breaking: Rick McKay's BROADWAY: BEYOND THE GOLDEN AGE to Premiere at 2016 Palm Springs International Film Festival
by BWW News Desk - Dec 16, 2015


BroadwayWorld is excited to report that BROADWAY: BEYOND THE GOLDEN AGE, Award-winning director Rick McKay's anxiously awaited sequel to his 2004 hit film, BROADWAY: THE GOLDEN AGE, is set to make its World Premiere at the 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, which takes place January 1-11, 2016.

BWW Review: Jackie Hoffman Shines In The Star's Spotlight In ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
by Michael Dale - Dec 13, 2015


Transport Group's revival may be the best reason to venture down to the Lower East Side since Yonah Schimmel learned how to make a knish.

Stage & Screen Star Carol Burnett to Receive SAG Life Achievement Award
by Caryn Robbins - Dec 9, 2015


During the announcements, it was revealed that Carol Burnett will be the recipient of the 52nd Annual SAG Life Achievement Award.

BWW Interview: Hilarious Supporting Player Jackie Hoffman Finally Nabs The Lead in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
by Michael Dale - Dec 8, 2015


She's famous for being one of Broadway's funniest supporting players, but now she takes on a classic leading role.

R&H Theatricals to Release Student Versions of OKLAHOMA! and ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
by BWW News Desk - Oct 15, 2015


Students will soon be able to take the stage in new, age-friendly versions of the classic musicals OKLAHOMA! and ONCE UPON A MATTRESS.

BWW Review: Mark Nadler Launches New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits Series at Metropolitan Room In Tempestuous, Hilarious, Whip-Smart Style
by Alix Cohen - Aug 29, 2015


Back in January, BroadwayWorld's lead cabaret reviewer Stephen Hanks announced he was giving up critiquing shows to start his own company, Cabaret Life Productions, through which he would publicize, promote, and help book cabaret performers, and also produce cabaret shows. Hanks' first major production out of the box is a monthly series at the Metropolitan Room called New York Cabaret's Greatest Hits, that features talented artists recreating award-winning or highly-praised shows we wish we'd seen--a really good idea. Hanks' series launched Wednesday night with Mark Nadler's award-winning 2003 show Tschaikowsky (And Other Russians). The Metropolitan Room was filled to the gills and abuzz with anticipation, as most of the audience was only familiar with the show's second-hand praise and/or the CD version of Nadler's performance.

150 Youth to Appear in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS This Week at Columbia Children's Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Jul 31, 2015


As twisted fairytales go, Once Upon a Mattress may be the most twisted of them all! Join Columbia Children's Theatre's (CCT) YouTheatre as 150 children present the 1959 Broadway smash that made Carol Burnett a star today, July 31st - August 9th.

150 Youth to Appear in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS Next Week at Columbia Children's Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Jul 22, 2015


As twisted fairytales go, Once Upon a Mattress may be the most twisted of them all! Join Columbia Children's Theatre's (CCT) YouTheatre as 150 children present the 1959 Broadway smash that made Carol Burnette a star July 31st - August 9th.

STAGE TUBE: On This Day for 5/11/15- ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
by Nicole Rosky - May 11, 2015


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.

Staten Island's St. George Theatre Presents 'An Evening With Carol Burnett' Tonight
by TV News Desk - May 9, 2015


Staten Island's St. George Theatre presents 'An Evening With Carol Burnett', tonight, May 9th at 8 pm.

Photo Flash: First Look at Star of the Day's GYPSY at McCoole's
by Tyler Peterson - Apr 1, 2015


Broadway finds Main Street! Star of the Day launches an all-new 2015 Broadway Musical Series at McCoole's Arts & Events Place beginning with the popular Gypsy.

Staten Island's St. George Theatre to Present 'An Evening With Carol Burnett', 5/9
by Caryn Robbins - Mar 5, 2015


Staten Island's St. George Theatre presents 'An Evening With Carol Burnett', on Saturday May 9th at 8 pm.

Extensive New A CHORUS LINE Segment From BROADWAY: BEYOND THE GOLDEN AGE
by Pat Cerasaro - Feb 4, 2015


A singularly sensational new look at BROADWAY: BEYOND THE GOLDEN AGE!

Photo Flashback: A Fond Farewell - Remembering The Stars We Lost in 2014
by Walter McBride - Jan 1, 2015


Broadway fans had plenty of reasons to celebrate this year, with dozens of shows having opened since January, hundreds of actors having made their debuts, and many more having returned to the stage for critically acclaimed performances. Not all news was good though, as we also suffered a loss of an incredible amount of talent. Below, BroadwayWorld sends a fond farewell to those who passed away in 2014.

VIDEO: BWW's 12 Days of Christmas with Guest Editor Richard Jay-Alexander; Day 7 - Nobody Does It Like Carol Burnett & Alan Alda!
by Robert Diamond - Dec 19, 2014


For Day 7 of BroadwayWorld's 12 Days of Christmas 'video finds,' we present Carol Burnett and Alan Alda. They both boast Broadway pedigrees.

Videos