Once Upon a Mattress TV Musical Watched by 8.4 Million People

The "Wonderful World of Disney" presentation of "Once Upon a Mattress" was seen by an audience of 8.4 million people on December 18th.

The ABC telemusical, which was directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall (Two Gentlemen of Verona, Wonderful Town), garnered a disappointing viewership in comparison to past musicals that have been been adapted for television.  "Annie" was watched by almost 40 million viewers, while more recently, "The Music Man" drew 13.1 million people to their TVs.

In the 18-49 age bracket, "Once Upon a Mattress" earned a 2.1 rating/6 share.  A single rating point represents one million people, while a share equals the percentage of televisions turned on.

An antic musical inspired by The Princess and the Pea, "Once Upon a Mattress" starred British comedian Tracey Ullman />as the not-so-shy Princess Winnifred, who must prove her sensitivity to a pea under 20 mattresses before she can wed the sheltered Prince Dauntless.  Tony Award-winner Denis O'Hare />(Sweet Charity, Assassins) played Dauntless, with Matthew Morrison />(The Light in the Piazza, Hairspray) and Zooey Deschanel (films such as The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Elf) as lovers Prince Harry and Lady Larken, Tommy Smothers as King Sextimus, Michael Boatman as The Jester, and as the overprotective Queen Aggravain, Carol Burnett/>. Burnett originated the role of Princess "Fred" in the original 1959 Broadway production (and also reprised it in 1964 and 1972 TV versions).