Book by Jay Thompson, Marshall Barer
and Dean Fuller
Music by Mary Rodgers and Lyrics by Marshall Barer
A delightfully fun musical based on the fairytale
"The Princess and the Pea."
"...every aspect of this lighthearted and amusing little show is wittily tongue-in-cheek"
- Martin's Guide to New York Theatre
This zany adaptation of the classic fairytale, "The Princess and the Pea," is set in a fairytale kingdom long, long ago. "Once Upon a Mattress" is the whimsical musical for adults with catchy music by Mary Rodgers that made Carol Burnett a star when it opened in 1959. The Show is currently running on Broadway with Sara Jessica Parker in the title role.
The story begins with Prince Dauntless looking for a bride, since by law, no one in the Kingdom may wed until "Dauntless shares his wedding bed." The Prince's possessive mother, the aptly named Queen Aggravain, has tested and rejected all the marriagable young women in the Kingdom. The Queen piously explains that she wishes only the best for her son . . . a true princess like she was when she was young.
Sir Harry, an important member of the Court, offers to go on a quest to find a Princess because the lady he wishes to marry is expecting. He returns three weeks later accompanied by Princess Winnifred the Woebegone who is so eager to meet her Prince that she swims the castle moat rather than waiting for the drawbridge.
Dripping wet, shy, and gawky she draws the Queen's ire. The wicked Queen designs a Royal test for her: She must spend the night on a pile of 20 down-filled mattresses with a single pea beneath them all. If she falls asleep, she is not Royalty. If she can feel the pea through all that down, she will pass the test. After all, True Royalty would never be able to sleep through such a hardship.
The ruthless Queen holds a ball, in hope that Princess Winnifred will become so exhausted from dancing that she will sleep, despite the pea beneath her bed. Winnifred dances with great energy and nearly succumbs to too much wine. At the end of the evening she's so intoxicated, she has trouble not only climbing up on 20 mattresses, but trouble staying there! The Lords and Ladies of the Court hilariously conspire to ensure a sleepless and restless night for her. The Queen's scheme is thwarted, the Prince finds his Princess, and all is put right in the Kingdom.
Don't miss this fast-paced, high-spirited, and timeless tale that brings to the Lazy Susan what can only be described as the "ultimate bedtime story" for the whole family!