Broadway Musical Home - Once Upon a Mattress

The popular musical that marked the Broadway debut of Carol Burnett. Based on "The Princess and the Pea" by Hans Christian Andersen.

Story:

Princess Winnifred arrives at Prince Dauntless the Drab's castle hoping for the hand of the prince. His mother, Queen Agravain, insists that her son can only marry a princess of true blood (one who can feel a pea that is underneath a pile of mattresses). Winifred passes the test, unable to sleep all night from discomfort and they live happily ever after.

: Composer
Mary Rodgers

: Lyricist and Librettist
Marshall Barer

: Librettist
Jay Thompson

: Librettist
Dean Fuller

Broadway Premiere

Theatre: Phoenix Theatre, Alvin Theatre, Winter Garden Theatre, Cort Theatre, St. James Theatre

Opening Night: May 11, 1959

Total Performances: 244

Original Cast: Joseph Bova, Carol Burnett, Allen Case, Jack Gilford, Anne Jones, Matt Mattox, Harry Snow, Jane White

Director: George Abbott

Choreographer: Joe Layton

Producer: T. Edward Hambleton, Norris Houghton and William and Jean Eckart

Musical Director: Hal Hastings

Orchestrations: Hershy Kay

Scenic Design: William and Jean Eckart

Costume Design: William and Jean Eckart

Lighting Design: Tharon Musser

1996 Broadway Revival

Theatre: Broadhurst Theatre

Opening Night: Dec 19, 1996

Total Performances: 188

Original Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, David Aaron Baker, Laura Bontrager, Ann Brown, Lawrence Clayton, Lewis Cleale, David Elder, David Hibbard, Jane Krakowski, Heath Lamberts, Tom Alan Robbins, Mary Lou Rosato

Director: Gerald Gutierrez

Choreographer: Liza Gennaro

Producer: Dodger Theatricals, Joop Van Den Ende

Musical Director: Eric Stern

Orchestrations: Bruce Coughlin

Scenic Design: John Lee Beatty

Costume Design: Jane Greenwood

Lighting Design: Pat Collins

2024 Broadway Revival

Theatre: Hudson Theatre

Opening Night: Aug 12, 2024

Total Performances: 128

Original Cast: Sutton Foster, Michael Urie

Director: Lear deBessonet

Choreographer: Lorin Latarro

Producer: Seaview, Creative Partners Productions

Musical Director: Mary-Mitchell Campbell

Orchestrations: Bruce Coughlin

Scenic Design: David Zinn

Costume Design: Andrea Hood

Lighting Design: Justin Townsend

Sound Design: Kai Harada

2005 TV Version

Movie Name: Once Upon a Mattress

Type: Made for TV Musical, Disney

Director: Kathleen Marshall

Screenplay: Janet Brownell

Starring: Carol Burnett, Brittany Gray, Tracey Ullman

Musical Numbers

Many Moons Ago

An Opening For a Princess

In a Little While

Shy

Sensitivity

The Swamps of Home

Normandy

Spanish Panic

Song of Love

Quiet

Happily Ever After

Man To Man Talk

Very Soft Shoes

Yesterday I Loved You

Nightingale Lullaby

Click on a song name to listen/purchase it on

CDs

: Original Broadway Cast Album

: 1997 Broadway Revival Cast Album

: 2024 Broadway Revival Cast Album

Sheetmusic

: Vocal Selections

Videos

: Original Hollywood Version DVD

Other

1960 Tony Award Nominations

Best Musical
Best Actress in a Musical - Carol Burnett

1997 Tony Award Nominations

Best Revival of a Musical

2025 Drama Desk Award Nominations

Outstanding Revival of a Musical
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical - Sutton Foster
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical - Michael Urie