ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME - P/reviews & News Thread

NOV 30, 2021 - JAN 9, 2022 (Washington, DC - Shakespeare Theatre Company) 

Inspired by Music Performed and Recorded by Britney Spears
Written by Jon Hartmere
Creative Team: Keone and Mari Madrid

In this highly anticipated world premiere of the Broadway-bound musical, beloved classic fairytale princesses gather for their fortnightly book club, longing for a new story. When a rogue fairy godmother drops The Feminine Mystique into their corseted laps, it spurs a royal revelation: there is more to life than bird-made dresses and true love’s kiss! Powered by the chart-topping anthems of the Princess of Pop herself, Britney Spears—including “Oops!… I Did It Again,” “Lucky,” “Stronger,” and “Toxic”—Once Upon a One More Time sends audiences on a heartwarming and uproarious musical adventure about smashing the glass slipper and reclaiming your own happily ever after.

The cast features Michael McGrath as the Narrator, Briga Heelan as Cinderella, Justin Guarini as Prince Charming, Tony nominee Emily Skinner as Stepmother, Aisha Jackson as Snow White, Brooke Dillman as The O.F.G. (Original Fairy Godmother), Mimi Scardulla and Tess Soltau as Stepsisters Belinda and Betany, respectively, Ashley Chiu as Sleeping Beauty, Raymond J. Lee as Clumsy, Wonu Ogunfowora as Rapunzel, Ryan Steele as Prince Erudite, Morgan Weed as Princess and the Pea, and Lauren Zakrin as Little Mermaid, with Adrianna Weir and Mila Weir sharing the role of Little Girl.

Rounding out the ensemble are Belinda Allyn as Belle, Stephen Brower as Prince Suave, Jennifer Florentino as Little Red Riding Hood, Selene Haro as Gretl, Joshua Johnson as Prince Brawny, Amy Hillner Larsen as Goldilocks, Kevin Trinio Perdido as Prince Mischievous, Stephen Scott Wormley as Prince Affable, and swings Matt Allen, Salisha Thomas, Matthew Tiberi, and Diana Vaden.

The creative team includes creative consultant David Leveaux, costume and hair designer Loren Elstein, scenic designer Anna Fleischle, lighting designer Sonoyo Nishikawa, sound designer Andrew Keister, production designer Sven Ortel, and wig designer Ashley Rae Callahan. Casting is by Hardt Casting.

 

Updated On: 4/24/23 at 11:32 PM

I won't be seeing this until January so am looking forward to any early reports.

I’m en route down for tonight’s first preview and I will report back. I’m beyond excited for this as it really is a mix of two of my favorite things - musical theater and Britney Spears. 

I don't really like the idea behind the show but I must admit that the songs are well chosen! They are doing If I'm Dancing 🥰

There are some pretty conspicuous omissions, "Overprotected" and "I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman" have not been included, despite the fact they were both featured in & Juliet. I actually think this is a good thing, as it seperates the two competing musicals a little bit more... 

dave1606 said: "Very excited for this! I'm seeing it on Saturday. Anyone who goes, can you let us know the runtime? Trying to figure out timing. Can't wait! I had tickets for Chicago the last time so looking forward to finally seeing this!"

heard from an insider that the IDR on Sunday ran about 3 hrs, but they cut about 20 minutes so now it’s 2 hrs 30-40

Updated On: 12/1/21 at 08:44 PM

Pre-show...

https://www.instagram.com/p/CW66GkStBWd/

The show just ended.

https://twitter.com/CodeDebYT/status/1465888271700049933

Updated On: 11/30/21 at 11:03 PM

YvanEhtNioj said: "So we won’t get to hear Rapunzel sing “Overprotected”? ??"

Look on the bright side... at least we'll get to hear Juliet and Francois sing a part of it in 2023!

Oh baby, baby - what an absolute ball this show is! 
 
I was so excited for this show as I had been in the early planning stages to get to Chicago when the show was supposed to make its debut there. 
 
The show is so fun, funny, and really empowering and I can’t imagine not leaving with a huge grin on your face. 

The show started about 10ish minutes late and we were out on the street by a little after 10. I expect cutting and restructuring, but the core of the book is so great. 

The main plot revolves heavily around Cinderella wanting something more in her life and questioning what really is happily ever after. The OFG (Original Fairy Godmother) drops the Feminine Mystique in her lap and that sets things tumbling down in the fairy tale world. The opening number (Baby One More Time) sets up the structure of a child reading the stories and the narrator guiding the princesses through their stories and each princess is giving “I need this job, I need this show” as they want their stories read. 
 
One thing I hope happens is the show gives us more Snow White because Aisha Jackson is everything. Morgan Weed was a riot as the Princess and The Pea, Lauren Zakrin is perfectly cast as the Little Mermaid and I secretly hope she understudies Cinderella because I’d love to see her play that role. 
 
Bria is so wonderful as Cinderella and does such a fantastic job of carrying the show’s core story. Justin Guarini is a riot and delivers as a less than charming Prince. Shout out to Tess Soltau and Mimi Scardulla who are absolute scene stealers as Cinderella’s stepsisters. Emily Skinner singing Toxic was everything and she is deliciously evil. 

There’s a plot that I won’t spoil but it was an absolute fan favorite.

For merch fiends like myself - they have 2 t-shirts (one is the logo, one is the princesses names on the front and the logo art on the back) a logo sweater, a tote bag, magnets, and a beanie. I got the names shirt, the tote bag, and the beanie  personally. 

The show is just fun and does have a lot of heart and really brings home the message of being the author of your own story and never losing your voice. 
 
I kept this pretty spoiler free but if anyone wants more specifics let me know. 

I can’t wait to see the show again (I’m already trying to figure out a date) and so hope it makes its way to Broadway. 
 

 

Updated On: 12/1/21 at 12:27 AM

RippedMan said: "Design/direction wise does it feel Broadway"

That’s a great question. Honestly? Not yet. It definitely needs work, but I think the potential is there.  It’s always hard to tell with first previews what something will look like a week from then. The set design is pretty basic with the large panels along the front of the back wall are screens that have projections. There’s doors on the sides of the stage that open and close to add a little bit more and to allow entrances and exits, but it’s again, basic. I’m not sure if they plan to expand on the design when they move to Broadway. 

The direction is nothing to write home about and again kind of basic. There’s some really great moments like Cinderella interacting with the little girl who reads the storybook but other moments need work. It needs a bit more focus and cutting that I think will make it flow better. 

I also know people have been pretty head over heels for the choreographers but I didn’t think the choreography was all that impressive. 

I really enjoyed the hell out of it and it’s got a lot of personality, heart, and fun but it does need some tough love and work. 
 
I’ve seen several of the DC out of towns and compared to Mean Girls which felt ready or Beetlejuice which needed a lot of work it falls in the middle. 
 

Updated On: 12/1/21 at 03:15 AM

Appreciate the recap, ClumsyDude15.  All of the comments I've been able to find on IG and Twitter have been positive about it being fun and very funny.  

The set looks very boxy--wondering what sightline I would have if my seat is in the orchestra grand tier slightly to the side?

Drew - This was my view from Orchestra | Row D | Seat 101 which was pretty perfect as not much happened on the right hand side. I'm not sure if this helps much, but it gives you a better idea of the set in general. 

 

Updated On: 12/1/21 at 03:36 PM

^That's extremely helpful, thank you!