Podcast Summary: Ana Gasteyer on 'Once Upon a Mattress'

Podcast: All Of It with Alison Stewart, WNYC
Guest: Ana Gasteyer
Air Date: September 12, 2024

Episode Overview

In this lively and heartfelt episode, Alison Stewart welcomes actress, comedian, and singer Ana Gasteyer to discuss her current role as Queen Agravaine in the Broadway revival of Once Upon a Mattress. The conversation delves into Gasteyer’s experiences with the classic musical, her approach to playing a comedic villain, her accidental journey from opera to SNL, the importance of making joyful work, and the enduring power of community in comedy. The episode is replete with reflections on creative choices, memorable anecdotes, and laughter, making it a treat for fans of musical theater and comedy alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. 'Once Upon a Mattress' & Its Revival (03:21 – 07:17)

• The Show’s Accessibility & Legacy

  • Gasteyer considers Once Upon a Mattress a "drama club favorite," familiar to many thanks to widespread productions in schools and camps.
  • She expresses deep admiration for composer Mary Rodgers, emphasizing the musical’s lush, accessible score and its place in the "golden era of entertainment."
  • [Quote, 03:25]

    "It's a fairy tale, so it's very accessible, very audience friendly, user friendly...I'm a huge Mary Rodgers fan...a beautiful composer." — Ana Gasteyer

• Connection to SNL Alumni

  • Many of Gasteyer's friends and fellow SNL alumnae, such as Rachel Dratch and Amy Poehler, performed roles from the show in their youth. This universality made accepting the part a natural choice.

2. Taking on Queen Agravaine: Technique & Character (05:21 – 09:06)

• Physical and Vocal Demands

  • Gasteyer discusses the physical challenges of playing Agravaine, particularly the need to project and 'holler,' as opposed to previously playing vocally demanding (but quieter) roles like Elphaba in Wicked.
  • Having older children this time around gives her more freedom and sleep—critical for vocal maintenance.

• Accent & Inspiration

  • Chose a "snooty...semi-aristocratic, faux British lady" accent to emphasize the Queen's status as the kingdom’s rigorous upholder of decorum.
  • She likens Agravaine to characters like Miranda Priestly and the Queen in Snow White: stern, vain, and shamelessly confident.

• Villainy with Depth

  • Gasteyer relishes playing the villain, but aims for nuance: Agravaine’s controlling nature is motivated by a mix of fear, love for her son, and desire to keep the kingdom together.
  • [Quote, 09:12]

    "There's a lot of power in it, especially in a female villain...She's not cruel to her son. She's controlling, which is...keeping him safe and keeping him childlike, which I think most mothers of sons can relate to." — Ana Gasteyer

3. Personal Evolution & Joyful Work (11:06 – 14:05)

• Shifting Artistic Purpose

  • Gasteyer reflects on seeking to make "non-cynical work" that brings happiness, shaped by decades in entertainment.
  • While she originally pursued opera and drama, she has embraced the roles and projects that align with her strengths—music, comedy, and joy.
  • [Quote, 11:25]

    "There are certain attributes...that come to me naturally, and frankly, the most fun to do are the ones I want to share with audiences." — Ana Gasteyer

• Curly Hair & Self-Acceptance

  • Both Alison and Ana joke about the liberating acceptance that comes with age—whether that's curly hair or creative direction.
  • [Quote, 13:52]

    "I'm just gonna do what I want to do. Screw it." — Ana Gasteyer

4. Musical Excerpt: 'Sugar and Booze' (14:11 – 15:37)

• The show includes a clip of Gasteyer’s signature holiday song, “Sugar and Booze,” spotlighting her festive performance style and songwriting skills.
• The hosts bond over the joyfulness and fun of Gasteyer's music.

5. Training, Comedy Roots, and SNL Reflections (15:45 – 22:31)

• Opera Foundations & Breath Control
  • Studying opera at Northwestern helped her build skills that remain invaluable, particularly breath control for theatrical voice work.
• Comedy at Northwestern
  • She started performing and writing sketches in college, joining a legendary improv group with an impressive alumni list.
  • Performing alongside strong, witty women inspired her commitment to creating new material.
• SNL: Lessons Learned
  • Gasteyer describes SNL's environment as a surprising meritocracy where good work usually gets recognized.
  • She emphasizes the importance of community and camaraderie among comedians forged in that high-pressure “gladiator” environment.
  • [Quote, 19:24]

    "For all the frustrations with the competitive atmosphere there, most good work eventually makes it to the air...The camaraderie...lasts for a lifetime." — Ana Gasteyer

6. Iconic Character: Margaret Jo & 'The Delicious Dish' (22:31 – 24:43)

• A short, nostalgic clip from one of Gasteyer’s best-known SNL sketches reveals her deadpan humor.
• She discusses the fun of playing characters oblivious to time on public radio, finding humor in their drawn-out, low-energy banter.

7. Advice for Young Comedians and SNL Newcomers (24:43 – 26:24)

• Gasteyer offers advice to new SNL cast members, encouraging them to say “yes,” seek collaboration, and find joy amid the stress.
  • [Quote, 25:47]

    "You have to constantly say yes to the situations rather than worrying about what's not going to work, because there's plenty that's not going to work." — Ana Gasteyer

8. Fashion Week & Dog Shows (26:24 – 28:00)

• She recounts a humorous recent appearance at Rachel Antonoff’s New York Fashion Week dog show, where both the models and the rescue animals provided unforgettable entertainment.

9. On TV’s 'Lute' and Next Steps (28:00 – 28:28)

• Gasteyer discusses her guest role alongside Maya Rudolph in the comedy Lute, expressing her hope to return to the series.

Memorable Quotes

• On Mary Rodgers:
  "A beautiful composer...she wrote Freaky Friday. She did all these unusual things with her career that I really admire." — Ana Gasteyer [03:25]
• On playing a villain:
  "The more tightly wound the queen, the more the noodle of Winifred can push against... Playing those scenes is fun, especially with my own son running lines with me." — Ana Gasteyer [09:12]
• On show business purpose:
  "I think it's more about [the audience] and less about me, in a strange way." — Ana Gasteyer [11:25]
• On SNL:
  "The camaraderie… the immediacy with which people want to cast one another and take care of one another is really a surprise and a delight." — Ana Gasteyer [21:57]
• On collaboration:
  "You have to sort of constantly say yes to the situations rather than worrying about what's not going to work." — Ana Gasteyer [25:47]

Notable Moments & Timestamps

• [03:25] — Gasteyer’s introduction to Once Upon a Mattress and her admiration for Mary Rodgers
• [05:30] — Challenges of Queen Agravaine: vocal technique and aging with the role
• [06:32] — How she chose the Queen's accent and demeanor
• [09:12] — The joy and psychology of playing a villain
• [11:23] — Revelations about her creative priorities over a multi-decade career
• [14:11] — Clip of “Sugar and Booze”
• [17:45] — Early improv and the Northwestern “Meow Show”
• [19:24] — “Meritocracy” and community lessons from SNL
• [22:38] — Revisiting “The Delicious Dish”
• [24:53] — Gasteyer’s advice to a new SNL cast member: “say yes”
• [26:26] — On modeling at New York Fashion Week with rescue dogs

Tone & Style

The conversation is witty, self-deprecating, joyful, and insightful, reflecting both Gasteyer’s comedic sensibility and Stewart’s engaging interviewing style. The mood is candid and warm, with genuine reflections on craft, aging, collaboration, legacy, and the importance of finding—and sharing—joy in one’s work.

Final Word

Ana Gasteyer’s appearance on All Of It is not only an ode to Broadway and comedy but also a testament to creative resilience, collaboration, and the value of joyful performance in a world that needs laughter and music. Whether speaking about her operatic roots, SNL memories, or sharing quirky stories from backstage, she reminds us of the power of embracing one’s strengths, saying “yes” to opportunities, and—most importantly—having fun.

Catch Ana Gasteyer as Queen Agravaine in 'Once Upon a Mattress' at the Hudson Theater until November 30th, 2024.