Once Upon a Mattress
Classification added March 4, 2025Premiered May 11, 1959
Phoenix Theater, New York, NY
Composer:
Mary Rodgers
Original Language:
English
Librettist:
Marshal Barer, Jay Thompson, and Dean Fuller
Description:
Musical in Two Acts
Notes:
An adaptation of the 1835 Hans Christian Andersen tale The Princess and the Pea. R&H Theatricals, New York, NY. Book and piano/vocal score dated 1959.
Time Period:
15th Century
Place:
A fictional medieval kingdom in Europe
Classification key
- L – Leading
- F – Featured
- S – Supporting
- B – Solo Bit
- CB – Chorus Bit
- MB – Mute Bit
| Role | Voice Part | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Princess Winnifred | Mezzo Soprano | L |
| Queen Aggravain | Contralto | L |
| Prince Dauntless | Tenor | L |
| Minstrel | Tenor | L |
| Jester | Tenor | L |
| Lady Larken | Soprano | F |
| Sir Harry | Baritone | F |
| King Sextimus the Silent | Spoken | F |
| Wizard | Baritone | S |
| Nightingale | Spoken | B |
| Lady Lucille | Spoken | B |
| Lady Rowena | Spoken | B |
| Sir Studley | Baritone | B |
| Lady Merrill | Spoken | CB |
| Lady H | Spoken | CB |
| Lady Mabelle | Spoken | CB |
| Lady Beatrice | Spoken | CB |
| Sir Luce’s Lady | Spoken | CB |
| Woman #1 | Spoken | CB |
| Woman #2 | Spoken | CB |
| Lady #1 | Spoken | CB |
| Lady #2 | Spoken | CB |
| Sir Luce | Spoken | CB |
| Knight #1 | Spoken | CB |
| Knight #2 | Spoken | CB |
| Knight #3 | Spoken | CB |
| Herald | Spoken | CB |
Minimum Chorus: 18
Divisi: SATB
Chorus Notes:
* The Chorus contains all of the Solo Bit and Chorus Bit roles. Where the voice part is designated as Spoken, it is understood that in the Chorus sections, a chorister will sing the role.