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Once Upon a Mattress

Winnifred the Woebegone is just a simple swamp princess looking to win the heart of Prince Dauntless. But can she pass the impossible test Queen Aggravain has in store for her?

More information

Description

  • Full Length Musical
  • Comedy
  • 120 minutes

  • Time Period: Medieval (6th-14th c.)
  • Target Audience: Appropriate for all audiences
  • Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings
  • Cautions: Mild Adult Themes
  • Orchestra Size: Large

  • Performance Group:
  • Community Theatre, High School/Secondary, Professional Theatre, College Theatre / Student, Church / Religious Groups

  • Accolades:
  • Nominee! Two Tony Awards including Best Musical (1960)
    Nominee! Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical (1997)
Many moons ago in a far-off place, Queen Aggravain decreed no couples could marry until her son, Prince Dauntless, found a bride. Princesses came from far and wide to win the hand of the prince, but none could pass the impossible tests given to them by the Queen. That is, until the “shy” swamp princess, Winnifred the Woebegone, showed up. Would she be able to pass the Sensitivity Test, marry her prince and help Lady Larkin and Sir Harry to the altar?

Carried on a wave of wonderful songs, by turns hilarious and raucous, romantic and melodic, this rollicking spin on the classic tale The Princess and the Pea provides some side-splitting shenanigans. For after all, a princess is a delicate thing.
REVIEWS:

"As fresh, inventive and funny as ever...ONCE UPON A MATTRESS shows you can retell fairy tales with wit and sophistication, and more important, human feeling."

New York Daily News

"A perfect pastiche of its own charming self."

Liz Smith

"A hilariously nutty retelling of the beloved fairy tale THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA. The show itself is a musical comedy gem. MATTRESS is a masterpiece of its kind"

Michael Portantiere Theatermania
Premiere Production: In 1959 Once Upon A Mattress opens off-Broadway at the Phoenix Theatre before moving to Broadway for 460 performances at four different theaters.

Characters

  • Casting: 7M, 4F
  • Casting Attributes: Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle)
  • Chorus Size: Medium

  • MINSTREL
    PANTOMIME CHARACTERS
    PRINCESS No. 12
    WIZARD
    LADY LARKIN
    QUEEN AGGRAVAIN
    PRINCE DAUNTLESS
    KING SEXTIMUS THE SILENT
    JESTER
    SIR STUDLEY
    SIR LUCE
    1st KNIGHT
    2nd KNIGHT
    3rd KNIGHT
    1st LADY-IN-WAITING - Rowena
    2nd LADY-IN-WAITING - Merrill
    3rd LADY-IN-WAITING - Lucille
    SIR HARRY
    KITCHEN WENCH
    PRINCESS WINNIFRED
    EMILY
    LADY MABELLE
    NIGHTINGALE
    LADIES-IN-WAITING, KNIGHTS, SOLDIERS, SERVANTS, MUSICIANS, etc.

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    Perusal Material Shipped immediately. This is optional. Order Now

    1 x Libretto-Vocal Book
    1 x Piano-Vocal Score

    		$24.00
    Pre-Production Pack Shipped upon receipt of a signed License Agreement and full payment of all invoices. This is optional.

    1 x Libretto-Vocal Book
    1 x Piano-Vocal Score

    		$75.00
    Rehearsal Material Shipped a minimum of 3 months before the last performance. This must be hired as a condition of the License to produce this show.

    20 x Libretto-Vocal Books
    2 x Piano-Vocal Scores

    		$550.00 +$135.00/pm
    Orchestral Material Shipped a minimum of 1 month before the last performance. This is optional.

    1 x Piano Vocal Score
    1 x Flute (Doubling Piccolo)
    1 x Oboe
    1 x Clarinet
    1 x Bass Clarinet
    1 x Horn
    1 x Trumpet I
    1 x Trumpet II
    1 x Trombone
    1 x Guitar (Acoustic with amp)
    1 x Piano (Doubles Celeste)
    1 x Harp
    2 x Violins (Divisi)
    1 x Viola (Divisi)
    1 x Cello (Divisi)
    1 x Bass
    1 x Percussion (2 Timpani, Orchestra Bells (Glock), Triangle, Shakers, Bongos, Bird Whistle, Xylophone, Vibes, Tambourine, Tam-Tam, Castanets, Wood Blocks (high and low), Temple Blocks (5 pitches) and Trap Set (Snare Drum, Bass Drum, High Hat and Suspended Cymbal)

    		$350.00 +$135.00/pm
    Partitur Shipped with (or after) Rehearsal Material. This is optional.

    1 x Full Score for Conductor

    		$120.00 +$120.00/pm
    Lib/Vocal Book 10 Pack Shipped with (or after) Rehearsal Material. This is optional.

    10 x Libretto/Vocal Books

    		$50.00 +$50.00/pm

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