Once Upon a Mattress is a total joy, and wow, do we need this in these troubled times. The stand-out, of course, is the glorious Sutton Foster, as Princess Winnifred. She can do it all: sing, dance, and whenever she steps onstage, she brings a thousand watts of energy and joy. As with all brilliant performers, you can feel the air in the theater become uplifted whenever she appears.
Luckily, for those of us in the audience, Foster is ably supported by a superb cast. Michael Urie, as Prince Dauntless, is a perfect match for Winnifred. He has a personality that is part wistful yearning and part not-too-bright but ready to learn. We get the feeling that the two of them will have a bright future, with lots of laughs and adventures, and at least a dozen kids.
Who knew that Ana Gasteyer has such a terrific singing voice? Judging from the gossip in the ladies' room (where performers are regularly sliced and diced), I wasn't the only one who primarily knew her from her work on "Saturday Night Live” where she did some of the best work in comedy skits, never breaking while others collapse in giggles.
The costumes and sparse scenery are appropriately cartoonish, with spectacularly garish colors. Supporting players confidently present their bits with panache and humor; there's not a part of this show where it flags.
My only criticism is that it's just too long. The second act seems to go on forever, and the gags on Winnifred's bed get old rather quickly. Tighten it up, and sail merrily along.
