All tagged Carol Burnett

Broadway Blip: Once Upon a Mattress

Broadway Blip: Once Upon a Mattress

Mark Robinson
Music That Makes Me Dance

Today I am celebrating the musical that essentially made a star out of Carol Burnett, one of our greatest living comediennes. Once Upon a Mattress opened Off-Broadway in 1959 and was soon ushered to Broadway not long after its opening. The musical features a score by Mary Rodgers (daughter of Richard Rodgers), lyrics by Marshall Barer, and a book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Barer. It was musical version of fairy tale The Princess and the Pea, taking a slightly satirical poke at the story of a princess who must earn the right to marry a prince, by proving her royalty through a test cooked up by a controlling queen.

Piling the Mattresses High: Celebrating Once Upon a Mattress

Piling the Mattresses High: Celebrating Once Upon a Mattress

Mark Robinson
Music That Makes Me Dance

The excitement I feel for the upcoming revival of Once Upon a Mattress at The Transport Group is not to be dismissed. I believe it is just what New York audiences need right now: a laugh riot with great music and a cast that can do this piece justice. Once Upon a Mattress, with music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, and a book my Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller and Barer has always been underestimated, relegated to second tier musical status when in fact the piece is just about as perfect as it can get. A misbegotten 1997 revival of the musical didn’t make the best case for the musical which is funny, melodic, of one piece, and really just a fairy tale overflowing with joy. It’s everything musical comedy should be.

Stage to Screen - The Original Annie Film

Stage to Screen - The Original Annie Film

Mark Robinson
Stage To Screen

With all of the talk about the revised and updated film version of Annie set to be released on December 19th, 2014, it prompted me to start thinking about the original 1982 film adaptation that I grew up watching. It is true that this version is misguided by director John Huston and the adaptation from stage to screen does nothing to lessen the amount of sugary optimism that comes at you like a molasses enema. I still, however, have a fondness for portions of the film, especially the deliciously droll comedic turns from Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters, and Tim Curry.