I have been in four community theater productions of Once Upon a Mattress: twice as an ensemble member and twice as King Sextimus the Silent, so I think I can offer some inciteful comments. This Disney adaption is relatively faithful to the original 1959 Broadway version with a few differences:
There is no Minstrel in this version.
The King discovers the test while hiding in a suit of armor which is not in the original stage version. In the original, it's the Minstrel who discovers the Queen's plot.
In this version, Queen Aggravain only gives Winnifred warm milk and opium. In the Broadway version, there is also a revolving mirror and incense used to help Princess Winnifred go to sleep.
The songs used in this version are:
Queen Aggravain sings a small section of An Opening for a Princess; In a Little While; Shy (with a male ensemble only); Sensitivity; The Swamps of Home; The Spanish Panic; Song of Love; Happily Ever After; Man to Man Talk; Normandy (used as a future place for Lady Larken and Sir Harry to go to live after they are married); Queens Aggravain sings a new song: That Baby of Mine (The song was written by long time Carol Burnett show writers Ken and Mitzi Weich specially for Carol to sing as Queen Aggravain in the 2005 version. It was nominated for an Emmy but it did not win.) and a bit of Happily Ever After; The Nightingale of Samarkand (The Wizard is also the nightingale. He sings part of Many Moons Ago, which is the Minstrel's song.); Finale.
It is fun to see a pre-Glee Matthew Morrison as Sir Harry.
Carol Burnett's royal outfits are stunning; they were created by Bob Mackie, one of her favorite designers.
It is an enjoyable version to view. However, as good as Tracey Ullman is, Carol Burnett in the black and white 1964 version is still the best Princess Winnifred. Carol also played the role in a 1972 color version, but she, in my opinion, is better in the 1964 version.
There is no Minstrel in this version.
The King discovers the test while hiding in a suit of armor which is not in the original stage version. In the original, it's the Minstrel who discovers the Queen's plot.
In this version, Queen Aggravain only gives Winnifred warm milk and opium. In the Broadway version, there is also a revolving mirror and incense used to help Princess Winnifred go to sleep.
The songs used in this version are:
Queen Aggravain sings a small section of An Opening for a Princess; In a Little While; Shy (with a male ensemble only); Sensitivity; The Swamps of Home; The Spanish Panic; Song of Love; Happily Ever After; Man to Man Talk; Normandy (used as a future place for Lady Larken and Sir Harry to go to live after they are married); Queens Aggravain sings a new song: That Baby of Mine (The song was written by long time Carol Burnett show writers Ken and Mitzi Weich specially for Carol to sing as Queen Aggravain in the 2005 version. It was nominated for an Emmy but it did not win.) and a bit of Happily Ever After; The Nightingale of Samarkand (The Wizard is also the nightingale. He sings part of Many Moons Ago, which is the Minstrel's song.); Finale.
It is fun to see a pre-Glee Matthew Morrison as Sir Harry.
Carol Burnett's royal outfits are stunning; they were created by Bob Mackie, one of her favorite designers.
It is an enjoyable version to view. However, as good as Tracey Ullman is, Carol Burnett in the black and white 1964 version is still the best Princess Winnifred. Carol also played the role in a 1972 color version, but she, in my opinion, is better in the 1964 version.