Remember, Jesse Green will not be writing the NYT review for this show because the Mary Rodgers memoir he wrote makes him biased (and against Times policy).
Post ‘em here, kids!
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."
NY Stage Reviews -
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS: SUTTON FOSTER-OF-THE-SWAMPS REIGNS TRIUMPHANT by: Steven Suskin ★★★★☆
https://nystagereview.com/2024/08/12/once-upon-a-mattress-sutton-foster-of-the-swamps-reigns-triumphant/
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS: MEDIEVAL HELLZAPOPPIN WITH LAUGHS FOR DAYS by: Bob Verini ★★★★☆
https://nystagereview.com/2024/08/12/once-upon-a-mattress-medieval-hellzapoppin-with-laughs-for-days/
NY POST - Once Upon a Mattress’ review: Sutton Foster is a perfect princess on Broadway
https://nypost.com/2024/08/12/entertainment/once-upon-a-mattress-review-sutton-foster-is-a-perfect-princess-on-broadway/
Vulture - Sutton Foster Brings Some Bounce to Once Upon a Mattress
https://www.vulture.com/article/review-once-upon-a-mattress-sutton-foster-theater-encores.html
Daily Beast - Broadway Review: Sutton Foster Sizzles in Limp ‘Once Upon a Mattress’
https://www.thedailybeast.com/broadway-review-sutton-foster-sizzles-in-limp-once-upon-a-mattress
Deadline - ‘Once Upon A Mattress’ Broadway Review: Sutton Foster Storms The Castle And Takes No Prisoners'
https://deadline.com/2024/08/once-upon-a-mattress-broadway-review-1236035735/
Entertainment Weekly - Once Upon a Mattress review: Sutton Foster is the crown jewel in jovial Broadway revival
https://ew.com/once-upon-a-mattress-review-sutton-foster-shines-broadway-revival-8694003
NY Daily News - 'Sutton Foster Shines in Family Friendly Once Upon A Mattress'
https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/08/12/broadway-review-sutton-foster-shines-in-family-friendly-once-upon-a-mattress/
TheaterMania - Sutton Foster and Once Upon a Mattress Hit Broadway With Its Raucous Charms Intact
https://www.theatermania.com/news/review-sutton-foster-and-once-upon-a-mattress-hit-broadway-with-its-raucous-charms-intact_1747268/
New York Theater
https://newyorktheater.me/2024/08/12/once-upon-a-mattress-broadway-review/
Variety - ‘Once Upon a Mattress’ Review: Sutton Foster Is an Awkward Fit in a Musical That’s Not Quite Broadway Royalty
https://variety.com/2024/legit/reviews/once-upon-a-mattress-review-sutton-foster-broadway-1236104236/
Exeunt NYC - Sutton Foster’s schtick is on display in this enjoyable revival, whether you like it or not.
https://exeuntnyc.com/reviews/review-once-upon-a-mattress-at-the-hudson-theatre/
NY Theatre Guide - 'Once Upon a Mattress' review — a tale fit for Sutton Foster, the princess of Broadway
https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/reviews/once-upon-a-mattress-broadway-review-sutton-foster
Slant - A Quick-Witted, Big-Hearted Gem Returns to Broadway
https://www.slantmagazine.com/theater/once-upon-a-mattress-review-broadway/
DC Theater Arts - Unabashedly goofy mid-century musical ‘Once Upon a Mattress’ is back on Broadway at the Hudson Theatre
https://dctheaterarts.org/2024/08/12/unabashedly-goofy-mid-century-classic-once-upon-a-mattress-is-back-on-broadway-at-the-hudson-theatre/
NY Times - CRITIC’S PICK - 'Sutton Foster and Michael Urie Reunite in the Zany ‘Once Upon a Mattress’
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/12/theater/once-upon-a-mattress-review.html
Leading Actor Joined: 3/29/23
'Once Upon a Mattress' Review: Sutton Foster Stars on Broadway
https://variety.com/2024/legit/reviews/once-upon-a-mattress-review-sutton-foster-broadway-1236104236/#recipient_hashed=bcb67c2711d628387f045db3518221bd5ed178f4e4c2f399d0538a827b1aa7ad&recipient_salt=04f4c96625f0da735542bcec5f6a7b2ae30c104b0600175621c5a99e27a72d09&utm_medium=email&utm_source=exacttarget&utm_campaign=newsalert&utm_content=543346_08-12-2024&utm_term=284729
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/25/20
Did They Like It? - 7 positive, 3 mixed, 1 negative
https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/once-upon-a-mattress-2/
BroadwayWorld.com - 11 positive, 3 mixed
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-ONCE-UPON-A-MATTRESS-Returns-To-Broadway-
Updated DTLI Consensus: Don’t sleep on this hilarious first musical offering of the 2024-25 Broadway season.
8 positive (including the NYT), 3 mixed, 1 negative.
Swing Joined: 1/3/07
The show is a total blast- was there Saturday night! Sutton Foster is a gift to theatre and Michael Urie, Ana Gasteyer and Brooks Ashmanskas and Daniel Breaker all are also HILARIOUS>. Nikki Renee Daniels has such a gifted voice and is stunning. Whole cast is invested and living! Directed and staged and danced with precision and so much physical comedy and JOY! Don't miss it!
Also David Patrick Kelly is incredible- he was a teenager in The Warriors and is now an old man....but so funny! Hoping LMM puts him in The Warriors musical. How cool would that be?
Greg nobile was wearing pajamas at the opening, how tacky
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/23/17
Broadway Flash said: "Greg nobile was wearing pajamas at the opening, how tacky"
LOTS of people were wearing nightclothes of some type -- it was the Suggested Attire on the opening night invite.
What do you have against Greg Nobile -- other than the fact that he's so much more successful than you will ever be? Pu*z.
Stand-by Joined: 1/18/05
Leading Actor Joined: 11/18/13
Broadway Flash said: "Greg nobile was wearing pajamas at the opening, how tacky"
The show is a loose homage to The Princess and The Pea. Without spoiling too much of that fairy tale, it involves sleeping and pajamas. I hope this sheds some light on that for you! You should check it out, it's very tactful.
I saw mostly people in suits and evening wear
Stand-by Joined: 5/23/21
Broadway Star Joined: 5/19/20
Has anyone done the TodayTix rush for Once Upon a Mattress? And if so, where was your seats
Much better reviews than I expected. With such great reviews for Sutton, I wonder if she'll be remembered coming Tony time, even with so many more great performances to go.
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