The original Broadway production of "Once Upon A Mattress" opened at the Phoenix Theater (At a total of five separate theaters!) on May 1, 1959, ran for 244 performances and was nominated for the 1960 Tony Award for Best Musical. Carol Burnett and Jack Gilford reprise their stage roles. Carol Burnett was nominated for the 1960 Tony Award for Actress in a Musical.
This version of the musical eliminates the character of the minstrel.