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By
WAYNE KLEIN
This new version of "Once
Upon a Mattress" that Broadway chestnut from 1959
that originally featured Carol Burnett as Princess
Winnifred (she also appeared in the 1964 and 1972
television versions) reappears for the holidays
with Burnett as executive producer and in the role
of Queen Aggravain. This clever reinterpretation
has all the appeal of the original production with
the multi-talented Tracy Ullman appearing the role
of Princess Winnifred. Featuring winning songs and
a winning cast (including Zooey Deschanel, Michael
Boatman and Tom Smothers) this version is
delightful eye candy with colors that almost pop
off the screen with their fairy tale sheen. Nicely
updated by Janet Brownell and well directed by
Broadway choreographer and director Kathleen
Marshall.
Nobody in the Kingdom according to the law can get
married until the Prince finds a bride. His mother
Queen Aggravain (Burnett) continues to come with
difficult and challenging questions/tasks to
prevent her son from getting married. Desperate to
get married Lady Larken (Zooey Deschanel) and her
Knight Sir Harry (Michael Morrison) comes up with
a plan to get the child-like Prince (Denis O'Hara)
married. Harry goes on a hunt for this perfect
princess and discovers Princess Winnifred
(Ullman). When we first meet her she climbs over
the castle walls having swam the moat. With help
from Harry, Lady Larken, the Minstrel and Jester
Winnifred ("Fred" to her friends) proves to be
much more difficult to dispose of compared to the
other princesses.
An entertaining Broadway musical that still
manages to be engaging and funny, this retelling
of the princess and the pea myth is a fun throw
back to when musicals were king on the big screen
and TV as well. |
