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.

On this day in 2006, Disney's Tarzan swung onto Broadway starring Josh Strickland and Jenn Gambatese!

On this day in 1982, the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Nine, opens at Broadway's 46th Street Theatre (now the Richard Rodgers).

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM is a nonstop laughfest in which Pseudolus, a crafty slave, struggles to win the hand of a beautiful, but slow-witted, courtesan named Philia for his young master, Hero, in exchange for freedom. The plot twists and turns with cases of mistaken identity, slamming doors and a showgirl or two.

On this day in 2008, Glory Days had its opening night on Broadway, and subsequently joined just a handful of musicals in history to post a closing notice on the same night. 

On this day in 1955, Broadway hit one out of the park when the musical Damn Yankees celebrated its opening night!

On this day in 2005, a revival of the classic musical, Sweet Charity opened on Broadway, starring Christina Applegate, who danced the title role just weeks after breaking her ankle during the show's out-of-town tryout.

On this day in 1993, the legendary Chita Rivera returned to Broadway in the musical Kiss of the Spider Woman. 

On this day in 1984, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's art-world masterpiece, Sunday in the Park with George, opened on Broadway starring Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters.

On this day in 2003, the curtain went up on the legendary Bernadette Peters as Mama Rose in Gypsy on Broadway!

On this day in 2014, Idina Menzel did it all again in the new musical from the Pulitzer Prize-winning duo behind Next to Normal, If/Then.

On this day in 2008, Patti LuPone hit Broadway as the most feared stage mother in history, 'Mama' Rose Hovick, in Arthur Laurents' revival of Gypsy!

On this day, one of the greatest theatrical journeys of our time, Angels In America, returned to Broadway in an acclaimed new production from the National Theatre.

On this day in 2013, the new musical Hands On A Hardbody opened on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.

On this day in 1998, Roundabout's Tony Award-winning revival of Kander and Ebb's Cabaret opened on Broadway starring Alan Cumming and Natasha Richardson.

On this day in 2012, the musical adaptation of the Oscar-winning love story, Once, opened on Broadway!

Hurricane Sandy shuttered all Broadway performances from Sunday, October 28 through Tuesday, October 30.

On this day, we're wishing a Happy Birthday to Raul Esparza, who can currently be seen cooking up some kitchen comedy in the new play, Seared, at MCC Theater!

On this day in 1972, Pippin opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre!

On this day we celebrate legendary composer of stage and screen, the great Marc Shaiman!

Today we celebrate Billy Joel and Twyla Tharp's dance musical sensation, Movin' Out!

On this day we're sending a loving birthday shout out to Tony Award-winner, Stephanie J. Block.

On this day, we celebrate the birthday of playwright, activist, actor, and educator, Anna Deavere Smith.

On this day in 2003, Hugh Jackman made his Broadway debut as  The Boy From Oz begins previews at The Imperial Theater.

The renaming of the theatre was dedicated to Stephen Sondheim, the greatest and best known artist in American musical theatre on his 80th birthday.