By Shari Barrett
The joyfully whimsical Once Upon a Mattress at the Ahmanson Theatre stars a cast of uber-talented Broadway musical veterans led by the comical, athletic, energetic, and perfectly wonderful Sutton Foster as Princess Winifred. Full of gloriously catchy melodies, this uproarious update of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Princess and the Pea offers audiences of all ages both classic charms and new delights. Directed with reverence to the original by Tony-nominated Encores! Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, this new adaptation by Amy Sherman-Palladino sets an unapologetic free spirit loose in a repressed kingdom, reveling in Winnifred’s ability to charm and transform with will power, honesty, and a little bit of help from her friends.
After the rousing Overture performed by the talented 16-member orchestra conducted by Annbritt du Chateau atop the ever-changing colorful castle wall, Daniel Breaker enters as the Jester (a role now combined with the original’s Minstrel) to sing the musical’s Prologue – “Many Moons Ago” – to inform even the youngest audience members about the story they are about to see, accompanied by puppets operated by Amanda Lamotte who appear from inside the windows of a castle dollhouse. The fairy-tale is then set in motion, led by handsome physical comedian Michael Urie as Prince Dauntless (who has trouble climbing stairs) and the stunning Oyoyo Joi as Lady Larken, about the Kingdom having an “Opening for Princess.” For you see, no one can marry until the Dauntless is wed, which given Lady Larken’s predicament needs to be as soon as possible!
We soon learn of Larken’s urgency to wed during her tender love duet with robust self-centered Sir Harry (Ben Davis) during which they promise to marry “In a Little While.” Harry then begs King Sextimus the Silent (David Patrick Kelly) and his ever-domineering Queen Aggravain (brilliantly mean and hysterically funny Ana Gasteyer) to allow him to go out into the swamps and bring back the 13th princess to challenge the Queen for her son’s hand in marriage. But since the Queen has no intention of ever letting her little boy marry, she employs the Wizard (Kevin Del Aguila) to devise a sure-fire way to test Winifred’s “Sensitivity” to ensure she fails and is sent away.
The Broadway-quality production is blessed with an extraordinary cast who brilliantly adds to Sutton Foster’s every moment onstage, beginning with Winifred’s wet and mud-covered over-the-wall entrance after swimming the moat and then comically belting out how “Shy” she really is, even though that is so far from the truth! But it isn’t until the very end that we realize just how far the anxious-to-marry Kingdom will go to be sure Dauntless and Winifred are able to wed. That moment was greeted with tons of laughter and applause, leading to a final and well-deserved standing ovation!
Of special note in the ensemble is Wendi Bergamini who appears as Lady Rowena and the Nightingale of Samarkand who pops up to screech-sing during “Nightingale Lullaby” to ensure Winifred stays awake atop 20 mattresses to pass the Queen’s test about her authenticity as a real princess, and dancer Richard Riaz Yoder who accompanies the Jester as his father during the “Very Soft Shoes” dance number.
Broadway quality tech credits include Scenic Design by David Zinn, Costume Design by Andrea Hood, Lighting Design by Justin Townsend, Sound Design by Kai Harada, Wig, Hair & Make-Up Design by J. Jared Janas, Physical Comedy & Effects by Skylar Fox, and Production Stage Manager Cody Renard Richard who supervises the Herculean task of coordinating the many scenic and costume changes to perfection.
Once Upon a Mattress with music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, & Marshall Barer, adapted by Amy Sherman-Palladino, with choreography by Lorin Latarro and directed by Lear deBessonet continues through January 5, 2025 at The Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles 90012. Tickets start at $51.75 (all-in pricing including fees), available by calling (213) 972-4400 or online at https://www.centertheatregroup.org/tickets/ahmanson-theatre/2024/once-upon-a-mattress/ Run time is 2 hours and 25 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. The production is appropriate for ages 6 and up, and I guarantee everyone will love it as much as I did!
