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''Once Upon a Mattress'' is a musical comedy with music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer. It opened off-Broadway in May 1959, and then moved to Broadway. The play was written as an adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale ''The Princess and the Pea''. ''Once Upon a Mattress'' was first written as a shorter play at the Tamiment adult summer camp resort, at which Jack Sydow was present.〔(Film Reference. ''Jack Sydow Biography (1921-)'' )〕 The play was later expanded for the Broadway stage. Initial reviews of the play were mixed, but critics and actors alike were surprised by the show's enduring popularity. ''Once Upon a Mattress'' is a popular choice for high school drama programs and community theatre groups. ==Productions== The original production opened on May 11, 1959, at the off-Broadway Phoenix Theatre (now transformed into a multi-plex cinema, located on the Lower East Side), transferred later in the year to Broadway at the Alvin Theatre (now known as the Neil Simon Theatre) and then to several other Broadway theaters, finally playing at the St. James Theatre, for a total run of 244 performances.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Once Upon a Mattress )〕 The musical was directed by George Abbott and choreographed by Joe Layton. ''Once Upon A Mattress'' marked the Broadway debut of later stage and TV personality Carol Burnett, who originated the role of Princess Winnifred. Also featured were Joseph Bova, Allen Case, Jack Gilford and Matt Mattox. Jane White played the role of Queen Aggravain. Jack Gilford played King Sextimus The Silent and was later replaced by Will Lee, Gilford's standby, prior to the show's move to Broadway. The musical received a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical as well as a Best Leading Actress nomination for Carol Burnett. When Burnett left the show, veteran T.V. actress Ann B. Davis took over the leading role. In August 1960, soon after the closing of the Broadway run, rehearsals were called for a seven-month US tour which would move from city to city by train, truck and bus. Jack Sydow stepped from his role as King into the position of Director. Dody Goodman played Winnifred at first, then Imogene Coca picked up the role. Carol Arthur understudied them both, and played the Nightingale of Samarkand.〔(DomDeluise.com ''Carol Arthur'' )〕 Fritzi Burr played the Queen and Buster Keaton played the King. Keaton's wife Eleanor was placed in the chorus. Keaton warmed up to the cast of younger actors, dispensing grandfatherly advice and chocolates freely. A London production of ''Once Upon a Mattress'' opened at the Adelphi Theatre on September 20, 1960 where it ran for 24 performances. 〔(Information about the London production )〕 Jane Connell starred and got rave notices. EMI Records took the cast into the recording studio and recorded a London Cast album. This was issued on an HMV LP. The album was included on a CD titled “Once upon a Mattress” issued by Sepia Records in 2010.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.sepiarecords.com/sepia1159.html )〕 A Broadway revival starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Lewis Cleale and Jane Krakowski opened on December 19, 1996, at the Broadhurst Theatre and ran for 188 performances. The production was nominated for the 1997 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. This Broadway revival wardrobe is on display at the Costume World Broadway Collection in South Florida. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Once Upon a Mattress」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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