amNewYork - Sleepover success in ‘Once Upon a Mattress’
https://www.amny.com/entertainment/theater/sleepover-success-in-once-upon-a-mattress/
...."The Broadway revival, which is directed by Lear deBessonet (“Into the Woods&rdquo
, is relatively faithful to the original musical – though TV writer Amy Sherman-Palladino’s (“Gilmore Girls,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel&rdquo adaptation of the book unnecessarily adds self-referential winks and gross-out humor and also cut a supporting character and a song. The orchestrations have been cut down since City Center, but are still large enough to justify performing the overture (which sounds terrific). Visually, the production has not changed since City Center, with a bare set design to suggest a castle interior and Disney fairy tale-style costumes.
Foster seizes each moment as Winnifred and goes further than you would think, whether it is her Ethel Merman-like, powerhouse vocals during “Shy,” physical comedy bits while high atop the 20 mattresses, or her altogether rough appearance and rowdy disposition.
Urie, an inspired comic himself, makes for an endearing weirdo and an ideal match for Foster. Daniels makes a point of injecting Larkin, who was written as a simple damsel in distress, with a more forceful personality. An unlikely standout of the supporting cast is Breaker, who (along with the ensemble) turns the second act soft shoe number “Very Soft Shoes” from mild diversion to genuine showstopper."
Showbiz411 - Sutton Foster Channels Carol Burnett in Totally Silly, Very Funny “Once Upon a Mattress”
https://www.showbiz411.com/2024/08/12/broadway-sutton-foster-channels-carol-burnett-in-totally-silly-very-funny-once-upon-a-mattress
"There are several other players who are highlights starting with Ana Gasteyer as the Queen. Gasteyer is a legacy player from “SNL.” so exceptionally talented but never found a post SNL path. She’s absolutely hilarious as the haughty queen,. complete with a sensational voice. The rest of the cast is top notch, and well known: Will Chase (who’s sort of the Lyle Waggoner for Burnett fans), Nikki Renee Daniels, John Patrick Kelly (who earlier stole (Into the Woods&rdquo, and Brooks Ashmanskas, and Daniel Breaker, — who I only know from “Billions” on TV, is a breakout star.
It takes about 30 minutes in Palladino’s version to get Foster out on stage. That’s how much she’s fleshed out the original, thin story. All the subsidiary characters now have back stories and quips galore. But in the end it’s all about Sutton Foster. She’s pulled from the best of Burnett nd Lucille Ball, including a scene that hearkens back to Lucy and the chocolate candies. But she’s updated their gifts so they blend with hers. Foster doesn’t have her signature tap dancing in this show, but her physicality is something we haven’t seen on Broadway in a long time."
Updated On: 8/12/24 at 09:29 PM
