ABC Plans to Telecast Once Upon a Mattress in December

Though an ABC publicist would give no further details, Kathleen Marshall — the film’s director — told TheaterMania that the current plan is for Mattress to be shown in December. “We don’t have an exact date,” said Marshall, “but they want to make it a family special for the holidays.”

The film stars Tracey Ullman as Princess Winnifred; the cast also includes Denis O’Hare as Prince Dauntless, Zooey Deschanel as Lady Larken, Matthew Morrison as Sir Harry, Michael Boatman as the Jester, Tom Smothers as King Sextimus, and Edward Hibbert as the Wizard. Carol Burnett, who created the role of Winnifred in the original Broadway production of the musical in 1959, plays the co-starring role of Queen Aggravain.