ONCE UPON A MATTRESS and the lead role of Princess Winnifred are still largely identified with the legendary Carol Burnett. In this revival, Sarah Jessica Parker gamely attempts to crawl out from under Burnett's shadow, though she doesn't really succeed. Burnett had a seemingly-effortless belty singing voice, wheras Sarah Jessica Parker's light soprano is pretty but not substantial enough for the songs of the boistrous, bombastic Winnifred.

Parker especially struggles with the long, sustained phrases in "Shy" and "Happily Ever After", though her "Swamps of Home" is quite charming. Mary Lou Rosato is perfect for the role of Queen Aggravain, and David Aaron Baker is a fantastic Prince Dauntless.

Jane Krakowski (GRAND HOTEL, NINE) is a breathtaking Lady Larken, ably-partnered by Lewis Cleale as Sir Harry. Their duet of "Yesterday I Loved You" is sublime. The cast also features Heath Lamberts (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST), Lawrence Clayton, Tom Alan Robbins and David Hibbard.

A fine recording but it pales beside the peerless original Broadway cast album with Carol Burnett, Jane White and Joe Bova.


It's ok...   June 2, 2000
Kristi A. Cates (USA)
26 out of 32 found this review helpful

I LOVE the musical Once Upon a Mattress, having played Princess Winnifred myself, but Sarah Jessica Parker just doesn't cut it for me. Of course, being a much more recent performance, the sound quality is much higher on this CD than on the original Broadway soundtrack, and some of the orchestrations are better too, but if you want to hear a REAL Princess Fred, buy Carol Burnett's recording. Parker's voice is too sweet and girly to be Fred. Burnett had the part down--wild, belting, exuberant, and bordering on obnoxious. Parker just seems to want to sing pretty--and while she does have a beautiful voice, having a beautiful voice isn't necessarily the top requirement for a Fred. I also don't really like some of the changes in the new Broadway version. Some of the songs really were better before they were "fixed;" they should have been left alone. Anyway, overall, this CD was at least worth my money, and I enjoy listening to it occasionally, but I prefer the original Broadway soundtrack, bad sound quality and all. So, go ahead and buy this CD, but make sure to buy the original too.


Great Show!   January 14, 1999
JulieEdman@aol.com (Massachusetts)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Sarah Jessica Parker really shines in the lead role. This production of OUAM is a nice update on the original Carol Burnett version from the 1960s. It's a pity that it didn't last longer on Broadway, but shows like this (nice but not terribly flashy with sinking ships, flashing swordplay, or big animal puppets) don't seem to have the impact they used to. At any rate, I recommend this CD most highly for anyone who is tired of all the glitz and flash most Broadway musicals now have.


A Great Musical Score for All   January 9, 2004
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Although some may think that Sarah Jessica Parker and her voice is annoying in this musical I don't think anyone else could have done it better. She has that quality that keeps you listening because it is humorous and her voice adds charm to her character. "Shy", "Normandy", and "Happily Ever After", "Spanish Panic" are among my favorites. The entire company has done a marvelous job in this recording of Once Upon a Mattress. I only wish this musical version was out on video. This is a great musical and would be enjoyed by all!!


Fantastic!!! Perhaps I'm a little obsessive...   April 1, 2001
Chris Nitkin (Stockholm, NJ USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

...but I've listened to this CD so many times it's probably worn out! I was the pianist for my high school's musical performance of this play, and I absolutely love the music! When I heard that we would be performing the 1959 version of the music, I was almost disappointed, as I had been so impressed by the additions made in this 1997 version (especially the Spanish Panic). Both versions are great, however, and if you have a chance to see the play (either on Broadway or a school play ;-), go see it! It's hilarious!