I sort of doubt many people are going to buy tickets based on a one sentence pull quote from Brittney Spears. If she really believes in the show, and she does talk show appearances and actively promotes it with personal appearances, that might help.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/27/19
Swing Joined: 5/31/23
"Best merch on Broadway"??? It's mostly simple logo slapping!!! Can't compete with SIX or Shucked!
The NY Theater Review piece captures the difference between the critics I think:
"But like I said, if you're willing to accept Once Upon a One More Time as a kind of period piece in which feminism is new, you'll have a fantastic time, because there is still plenty to unequivocally love.
The book is not hard to follow unless you resist following it.
Leading Actor Joined: 6/14/22
This show always looked to me like a 2013 Buzzfeed quiz getting a Vegas enema.
Ah, well. Moving on...
verywellthensigh said: "This show always looked to me like a 2013 Buzzfeed quiz getting a Vegas enema.
This is...a sentence composed of words.
When did Britney go to see it? Why there's no press about it? What are the producers thinking about? Britney going to see this has to be a big event, and it will promote the show all over the world.
Leading Actor Joined: 6/14/22
She most likely hasn't seen it. They asked for a generic pull quote and they got one.
verywellthensigh said: "She most likely hasn't seen it. They asked for a generic pull quote and they got one."
It's also been in development for a while - she may have seen it in private workshop or video footage of the production (maybe B-rolls).
She is so high profile and easily recognized that her appearing in a regular audience would be a MAJOR distraction and take away from the performance on stage.
The show's highs are very high - performances from Simard and Guarini, the choreo, much of the rest of the cast, portions of the book- and whether or not those highs mitigate the show's lows (and they're low lows) enough is subjective, but the highs are kind of undeniable nevertheless. So I'm not surprised it's getting more mixed than straight negatives.
muscle23ftl said: "When did Britney go to see it? Why there's no press about it? What are the producers thinking about? Britney going to see this has to be a big event, and it will promote the show all over the world."
I don't think she said when. It could have been pre-Broadway. I don't follow her but it seems she is just laying low these days and not wanting to be in any spotlight, including showing up on Broadway for this show.
Featured Actor Joined: 4/8/21
muscle23ftl said: "When did Britney go to see it? Why there's no press about it? What are the producers thinking about? Britney going to see this has to be a big event, and it will promote the show all over the world."
She attended readings in 2018 and this week it reported musical directors sent rehearsal videos to her and she included notes in the choreography side with her ideas. She's been more involved in this musical behind doors than we believed
These reviews are kinder than I anticipated. I think that while it's not a great show by any means, it's just so FUN that it's hard to be too critical. The show itself doesn't take itself too seriously. I was much more entertained at Once Upon A One More Time than I was at something like New York, New York for instance (a show that was both bad AND boring).
If Britney had anything negative to say about the show, I sincerely doubt she would have put out a public statement. The show features her music, I wouldn't expect anything other than a positive statement. It's a marketing tool and she gains to benefit financially. Whether she really thinks the show is that good is anyone's guess.
I'd love to know what Britneuy thinks of Leopoldstadt
I’m happy that this show got better reviews than expected! It’s fun and has a good message!
If nothing else, maybe everyone involved will have job security a bit longer!
Leading Actor Joined: 6/14/22
QueenAlice said: "I'd love to know what Britneuy thinks of Leopoldstadt"
She saw Leopolstadt the same week she saw OUAOMT. She said she went in expecting it to be plodding and obvious and not telling her anything about the era that she didn't already know, but came out moved and feeling like she had experienced history anew. "I was particularly struck by the use of sound design and how it juxtaposed the rhythmic chanting over the gentleness of family tableaux, " she said. "The theater is minimal and symbolic as opposed to the detailed expansiveness of cinema, and it's this spareness that made me feel the intensity of the characters on a visceral, and indeed, a spiritual level."
She then ran to a bodega to grab more Cheetos.
I second that, glad that maybe this show will have a longer life than expected and everyone involved will have job security for awhile. Congrats to the cast and crew!
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/27/19
Once Upon a One More Time Review: Jukebox Musical Celebrates Britney Spears the Feminist
Once Upon a One More Time is a frivolously delightful entry into the jukebox genre.
https://www.slantmagazine.com/theater/once-upon-a-one-more-time-review-britney-spears/
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/27/19
Not a review, but interesting.
Britney Spears’ Broadway Show ‘Once Upon a One More Time’ Was Her Idea, but She Insisted It Not Be a Bio-Musical
https://variety.com/2023/legit/events/britney-spears-once-upon-a-one-more-time-broadway-1235653321/
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/24/14
I think it's the definition of ''mixed'', with the positive ones being really good. I really loved this reception, wasn't expecting this, and hope the show can stay open at least until New Years Eve.
I would love to see because Britney is my #1 singer, but doubt it will be open around April '24.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/24/11
I should have waited to book until the reviews came out. But the choreography intrigued me. I enjoyed Simard. And who knew Justin Guarini had THAT in him. Odd to be discovering that side of him when he has to be mid 40's..!
MemorableUserName said: "Not a review, but interesting.
Britney Spears’ Broadway Show ‘Once Upon a One More Time’ Was Her Idea, but She Insisted It Not Be a Bio-Musical
https://variety.com/2023/legit/events/britney-spears-once-upon-a-one-more-time-broadway-1235653321/"
Piggybacking off of that...
"The underlying rights agreement for the musical was one of the first contracts Spears signed following the November 2021 termination of her 13-year conservatorship, and it provides her with a revenue stream from the Broadway production as well as any future touring and licensing income."
https://ew.com/theater/britney-spears-musical-once-upon-a-one-more-time-her-idea-didnt-want-it-to-be-about-her-life/
It's interesting how many people posting about the show on IG, Twitter, etc., say it's their first Broadway show. I haven't followed MJ but assume something similar there? One difference perhaps for OUAOMT is it would be easy to branch out and see more shows given there are currently two other shows with similar music.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/27/19
Another review by a woman. It's a pan.
Broadway is awash in bad pop musicals pretending to be about feminism
Once Upon a One More Time is a lumpy slurry of Britney Spears, Cinderella, and Betty Friedan. For some reason, it’s part of a bigger trend.
https://www.vox.com/culture/23775444/once-upon-a-one-more-time-broadway-britney-spears-jukebox-musical-six-bad-cinderella-juliet
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