Production photos
Photos: Get a first look at Sutton Foster, Ana Gasteyer and more on Broadway Once upon a time there was a mattress revival
The revival, directed by Lear deBessonet, comes to the Main Stem from New York City Center Encores!
Sutton Foster and companies from Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
The previews for the Broadway return of Once upon a time there was a mattress, Performances began on July 31 at the Hudson Theatre. The opening night is August 12, with a limited run scheduled to continue through November 30. The production comes to the Main Stem via New York City Center Encores!, and much of the cast will reprise their roles from that performance earlier this year.
Returning cast members include two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster as Princess Winnifred, Michael Urie as Prince Dauntless, Nikki Renée Daniels as Lady Larken, David Patrick Kelly as King Sextimus the Silent and Kara Lindsay as Princess Winnifred’s replacement. New for the Broadway premiere are Ana Gasteyer as Queen Aggravain, Will Chase as Sir Harry, Daniel Breaker as the Jester and Brooks Ashmanskas as the Wizard.
The ensemble includes Daniel Beeman, Wendi Bergamini, Taylor Marie Daniel, Cicily Daniels, Ben Davis, Oyoyo Joi, Amanda LaMotte, Michael Olaribigbe, Adam Roberts, Jeffrey Schecter, Darius Wright and Richard Riaz Yoder. Swingers Sheldon Henry and Sarah Michele Lindsey round out the troupe.
Take a first look at the Broadway company in the following photo gallery:
Ana Gasteyer and companies from Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Sutton Foster, Michael Urie and companies from Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Amanda LaMotte, Michael Urie and Brooks Ashmanskas in Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Sutton Foster in Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Sutton Foster in Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Ana Gasteyer and Michael Urie in Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Sutton Foster in Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Ana Gasteyer, Sutton Foster and companies from Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Sutton Foster in Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Sutton Foster and companies from Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Daniel Breaker and Brooks Ashmanskas in Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Daniel Breaker and his company Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
David Patrick Kelly, Michael Urie and Ana Gasteyer in Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Companies of Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Sutton Foster and companies from Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Michael Urie and companies from Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Ana Gasteyer, Michael Urie, Will Chase and Nikki Renee Daniels in Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Michael Urie, Sutton Foster and companies in Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Will Chase and Nikki Renee Daniels in Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Daniel Breaker and his company Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Sutton Foster and companies from Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
David Patrick Kelly, Nikki Renee Daniels and Daniel Breaker in Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
Companies of Once upon a time there was a mattress
Joan Marcus
With a book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Marshall Barer; music by Mary Rodgers; and lyrics by Barer, Once upon a time there was a mattress is a comedic retelling of the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen the princess and the Pea. The musical, which premiered Off-Broadway in 1959, launched the career of Carol Burnett, who starred in the first Off-Broadway and Broadway performances of the work, as well as a number of live television productions. The musical has since become a favorite of high schools and theater groups around the world. This revival includes a book adaptation penned by Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls).
Read reviews of the “Encores!” performance here.
Following the Broadway run, Foster and Urie (further casting to be announced) will bring the new production to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles through the Center Theatre Group. Performances begin on December 10 and run through January 5, 2025.
Also returning from the Encores! production is director Lear deBessonet. She has reassembled much of her Encores! creative team, including choreographer Lorin Latarro, set designer David Zinn, costume designer Andrea Hood, sound designer Kai Harada, hair, wig and makeup designer J. Jared Janas, and physical comedy and effects designer Skylar Fox. New for the Broadway premiere is lighting designer Justin Townsend. Cody Renard Richard is production manager and casting is handled by Craig Burns of The Telsey Office.
The transfer also draws on orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin, who composed the music for the Broadway revival of the work in 1996. Encores! Music Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell serves as musical director, Annbritt duChateau as musical supervisor, and Kimberlee Wertz as musical coordinator.
The revival is the eighth Encores! production to be played at the Main Stem, following previous broadcasts of Chicago, The apple tree, Gypsy, Finian’s Rainbow, After midnight, Violet (which originally began as a New York City Center Encores! off-center production starring Foster) and In the forest. A 2000 Encores! concert by Wonderful city also inspired a complete revival on Broadway in 2003.
Visit OnceUponaMattress.com.
