Carol Burnett Gets Her Own Holiday Tree Ornament

Immediately following CBS’ recent blockbuster-rated Sunday special celebrating the 50^th anniversary of “The Carol Burnett Show” came news that the legendary comedienne can have a special spot on your holiday season tree (Christmas or Hanukkah). Yes, you can have a dazzling Radko of Miss Burnett for an annual keepsake and tree ornament.
The colorful, limited-edition Christopher Radko carnival-glass ornament, sales of which benefit the cross-country services of New York theatrical charity Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, features Miss Burnett as the hilariously brash and relentlessly outspoken Princess Winnifred, the iconic role she originated Off Broadway in Mary Rodgers, Marshall Barer, Dean Fuller and Jay Thompson’s production of “Once Upon a Mattress” in 1959.
Following 216 performances, it moved to Broadway, earning Miss Burnett a Theatre World Award and a 1960 Tony nomination, not to mention a Best Musical nomination for her show.
“Princess Winnifred holds a dear place in my heart as she was my Broadway debut,” Miss Burnett said. “To have her live on, adorning holiday trees and continuing to bring smiles to so many, is gratifying. What’s even better is that ‘Fred’ is helping people who need them most get medication and meals and health care through Broadway Cares’ outreach programs and health and research services.”
Carol Burnett received a special Tony Award in 1969 for her contributions to the theater and was nominated in 1996 for Best Actress in Ken Ludwig’s comedy about actor’s egos, “Moon over Buffalo.”
Her top-rated Saturday night TV series ran for 11 seasons, winning 22 Emmy Awards, and helped land Burnett a much-deserved induction into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.
The Burnett ornament was designed exclusively for the BC/EFA Broadway Legends collection by Glen Hanson with the Christopher Radko Company.
Miss Burnett is the 10th star to join the Broadway Legends series, alongside Julie Andrews, Carol Channing, Angela Lansbury, Patti LuPone, Liza Minnelli, Bernadette Peters, Chita Rivera, Barbra Streisand, and Gwen Verdon.
Also available in the Broadway Cares online store are signed copies of Burnett’s “In Such Good Company,” which she calls “a love letter to a golden era in television history.” The memoir offers a behind-the-scenes look into one of TV’s most revered sketch comedies.
To purchase the limited-edition ornament and “In Such Good Company,” visit broadwaycares.org/carol.
This year, BC/EFA provided more than $90- million in badly-needed support to 461 social services agencies and health institutions in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. The organization also supports the American Actors Fund’s HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative, the Dancers’ Resource, addiction and recovery services, and Artists Health Insurance Resource Center.
BC/EFA’s outreach programs and grants awarded $575,000 in emergency grants to provide immediate, on-the–ground assistance to those battling the ravages of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.
BC/EFA grants made in Mississippi have included $10,000 to the South Mississippi AIDS Task Force in Biloxi; $10,00 to the AIDS Services Coalition in Hattiesburg; and $20,000 to My Brother’s Keeper in Ridgeland.

Ellis Nassour is an Ole Miss alum and noted arts journalist and author who recently donated an ever-growing exhibition of performing arts history to the University of Mississippi. He is the author of the best-selling Patsy Cline biography, Honky Tonk Angel, as well as the hit musical revue, Always, Patsy Cline. He can be reached at ENassour@aol.com.