There's an opening for a princess, and Sutton Foster is anything but shy putting her hat into the ring! A new staging of Once Upon a Mattress began its run at New York City Center Encores! January 24, and the reviews—and production shots—are in. See what critics are saying, and get a first look at the revival below. Performances continue through February 4.
Foster is starring as Princess Winnifred, reuniting with her Thoroughly Modern Millie co-star Harriet Harris as Queen Aggravain. They're joined by Nikki Renée Daniels as Lady Larken, J. Harrison Ghee as Jester, Cheyenne Jackson as Sir Harry, Francis Jue as Wizard, David Patrick Kelly as King Sextimus the Silent, and Michael Urie as Prince Dauntless. Kara Lindsay is the Princess Winnifred standby.
The ensemble includes Shavey Brown, DeMarius R. Copes, Kaleigh Cronin, Cicily Daniels, Ben Davis, Ta’Nika Gibson, Gaelen Gilliland, Jaquez, Andrea Jones-Sojola, Paul Kreppel, Amanda LaMotte, Abby Matsusaka, Adam Roberts, Ryan Worsing, Kristin Yancy, and Richard Riaz Yoder. Rounding out the company are swings Sarah Mchele Lindsey and Bud Weber. Casting is by Bernard Telsey and Craig Burns of The Telsey Office.
Read the reviews below.
New York Magazine/Vulture (Jackson McHenry)*
New York Stage Review (Steven Suskin, David Finkle)
New York Theater (Jonathan Mandell)
The New York Times (Elisabeth Vincentelli)*
Theater Pizzazz (Brian Scott Lipton)
*This review may require creating a free account or a paid subscription.
Playbill will continue to update this list as reviews come in.
Encores! Artistic Director Lear deBessonet (Into the Woods) is directing the production, with choreography by Lorin Latarro and music direction by Mary-Mitchell Campbell. The work features music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, and a book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Barer. The Encores! staging features a new concert adaptation by Amy Sherman-Palladino.
Michael Urie and David Patrick Kelly in Once Upon a Mattress
Michael Urie, Sutton Foster, and company of Once Upon a Mattress
David Patrick Kelly, Nikki Renée Daniels, and J. Harrison Ghee in Once Upon a Mattress
Company of Once Upon a Mattress
Michael Urie, Sutton Foster, and company of Once Upon a Mattress
Company of Once Upon a Mattress
Company of Once Upon a Mattress
Francis Jue in Once Upon a Mattress
Harriet Harris, Michael Urie, Cheyenne Jackson, and Nikki Renée Daniels in Once Upon a Mattress
Harriet Harris and Francis Jue in Once Upon a Mattress
J. Harrison Ghee in Once Upon a Mattress
J. Harrison Ghee and company of Once Upon a Mattress
Sutton Foster in Once Upon a Mattress
Sutton Foster in Once Upon a Mattress
Company of Once Upon a Mattress
Sutton Foster and cast of Once Upon a Mattress
Sutton Foster and cast of Once Upon a Mattress
Sutton Foster in Once Upon a Mattress
Nikki Renée Daniels and Cheyenne Jackson in Once Upon a Mattress
The production also features scenic design by David Zinn, costume design by Andrea Hood, lighting design by Amith Chandrashaker, sound design by Kai Harada, hair and wig design by J. Jared Janas, and physical comedy and effects by Skylar Fox. Kimberlee Wertz is the music coordinator, with orchestrations by Hershy Kay, Arthur Beck, and Carrol Huxley.
The musical, which premiered Off-Broadway in 1959, launched the career of Carol Burnett, who starred in the work's Off-Broadway and Broadway bows along with a string of live TV performances. The musical has since become a favorite at high schools and theatre groups around the world, and was last seen in NYC in a 2015 Off-Broadway revival via Transport Group starring Jackie Hoffman.
The Encores! season will continue February 21-25 with Jelly's Last Jam and June 12-16 with Titanic.
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