ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME - P/reviews & News Thread- Page 4

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 12/19/21 at 4:25pm

I still hate the name of this musical but I hope it's incredibly successful on Broadway, when it's safe to move it there of course. 

[adotburr]

Posted: 12/19/21 at 4:26pm

I’m sold for whenever this comes to Broadway. Actually super excited for this and can’t wait to see it!

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 12/19/21 at 4:29pm

Washington Post is positive on Briga Heelan, lukewarm on everything else.

Britney Spears’s songs are packed into a new storybook musical, but this kingdom needs more magic

‘Once Upon a One More Time,’ about fairy-tale princesses, has its world premiere at Shakespeare Theatre Company. While it lacks finesse, lead performer Briga Heelan brings out the show’s potential.


"The assets may be apparent in this project, but a substantial payoff is still waiting to happen. That potential makes me think it will be worthwhile sometime down the road to see the show at least once more, upon a one more time."

https://www.washingtonpost.com/theater-dance/2021/12/19/britney-spears-musical/

Updated On: 12/19/21 at 04:29 PM

[sparepart973]

Posted: 12/22/21 at 8:19am

I tend to turn a blind eye to jukebox musicals with wishy-washy narrative structures and form. I'm willing to be forgiving towards jukebox musicals because of other production components that could make-up for their dramaturgical shortcomings. 

Though I'm not crazy about the idea of UOOMT's story, I think it could possibly work if the top 1/3 of the show is re-written, and if the plot and characters are introduced differently. That's a relatively easy fix. What needs complete overhaul is the lack of directorial vision and creative design concept. The set is LED walls. The walls on the sides rotate as wings for actors to enter and exit. There's a fixed metallic runway and staircase that looks like an industrial fire-escape, a red ladder that is never utilized, and movable platforms on wheels. Besides the walls on the side, there's no automation. The stage is simply lit with the most basic lighting plot. There's no mood setting, the use of lighting as part of the story-telling, or even use lighting pragmatically to help the audience focus on certain actions or characters. The costumes are cheap, and the boys' costumes look like they were bought at the last minute from H&M (not even Uniqlo). For such a show that is meant to be a camp fest and features two gay/queer characters, there's absolutely no boy skin to be seen. Throw in a tank-top instead of the horrible shirts. The rest of the costumes look like they were acquired from random costume facility and stitched with random peices. There's absolutely no unity or consistency in the style or design. 

The staging is amateur pantomime at best. There are times when actors just stand there while other action is happening around them. The male ensemble is especially given very little characterization and attitude. There's so much stomping around on that house deck, and the sound gets picked up by the mics. The entrances and exits are sloppy and limiting, and there's absolutely no fluidity or beauty in the way the show moves. 

Musically, the arrangements are completely 1-note and basically not given a pop theatre treatment. What makes the songs in &Juliet work is the fantastic musical reimagining of these great hits that make them sound up to date, and sometimes completely reimagined as a ballad or duet. There's no underscoring or use of music to enhance the story when it's not a musical number. 

As in most cases, AEA and AEA-level cast always delivers and is not at fault. Justin Guarini is fine though I found him to be a bit grown up for this role. He's got the voice, he even has moves. But he's not a comedian and can only do so much to elevate the crap he's given. Excuse me but who is Briga Heelan, why doesn't she have any music and/or musical credits, and so why was she given this lead role? No! Re-cast ASAP! Aisha Jackson is a cutie pie, Mimi Scadrulla is talented enough though Belinda is purely written as "fat and funny" which I find unpalatable. Ryan Steele does a fine job, and of course Emily Skinner is queen and is grossly overqualified for this nonsense. 

This is not a pre-Broadway run. It's a fancy workshop with no attention to any detail, originality, or innovation in any department.. Even if re-written and redesigned on paper, their current budget is not big enough for this kind of musical. 

[pablitonizer]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 9:05am

A big round of applause for ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME which ended its previews last night in DC and didn't have to cancel one single show because of COVID. 

 

Next stop is Broadway so fingers crossed!

 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 4:04pm

Reading these reviews I'm kind of curious how this even came to be? It's directed by 2 choreographers we haven't heard of, the lead is a new person with no prior experience. It kind of explains how the show looks as bad as it does. Fun concept, but the execution looks bad for even a regional theater level. 

[yyys]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 4:34pm

I saw it, it was OK....it doesn't look and feel like a Broadway musical.

RippedMan said: "Reading these reviews I'm kind of curious how this even came to be? It's directed by 2 choreographers we haven't heard of, the lead is a new person with no prior experience. It kind of explains how the show looks as bad as it does. Fun concept, but the execution looks bad for even a regional theater level."

 

[bwaybffs]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 5:12pm

Does anyone know when this is expected to come to Broadway? I’ve tried researching, but I can’t find a proposed time frame. Perhaps nothing’s been announced yet, so curious to know what you guys think

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 5:21pm

bwaybffs said: "Does anyone know when this is expected to come to Broadway? I’ve tried researching, but I can’t find a proposed time frame. Perhaps nothing’s been announced yet, so curious to know what you guys think"

Nothing has been announced.

The Nederlanders are lead-producing it, so we can assume it will go into a Nederlander-owned house (perhaps the Lunt-Fontanne after Tina). Nederlander is also lead-producing Mr. Saturday Night this spring.

If Tina is trying to run, then they don't have an available house for Once Upon... this spring. And with the Covid situation, it's probably better to just wait until later in 2022 or 2023, especially if this is a kid-friendly show.

[theaterdrew]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 5:28pm

There have been references to it opening this summer, which would make sense in terms of the pandemic subsiding and grabbing the tourists that should be back in greater force at that time.  It will probably not get much love from certain sectors but the overall crowd response reflects that it succeeds at what it sets out to be, which is a pure night of fun.  They know they have a money maker on their hands but they have to time it right. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 5:54pm

They probably also know that this won't be a major Best Musical contender at the Tonys (or at least I assume it won't be? haven't seen it) so there's no real rush to cram it in before the end of April. Which means it needs an advertising + WOM strategy that's not reliant on any awards or rave reviews.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 6:26pm

I hope they lean into the adult humor/camp/raunch for this one when it transfers. It succeeds in that aspect better than the family friendly aspects of the show. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 6:27pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "They probably also know that this won't be a major Best Musical contender at the Tonys (or at least I assume it won't be? haven't seen it) so there's no real rush to cram it in before the end of April. Which means it needs an advertising + WOM strategy that's not reliant on any awards or rave reviews."

I know, it’s still some time away, but I’m probably looking at a 2022-23 season where Kimberly Akimbo and Lempicka are Tony favorites. One More Time and & Juliet will need similar marketing strategies when both announce NY transfers. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 6:34pm

...are LEMPICA and & JULIET actually happening on Broadway in 22-23?

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 6:39pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "...are LEMPICA and & JULIET actually happening on Broadway in 22-23?"

& Juliet is already being billed as “pre-Broadway” on the Mirvish website, and Lempicka is premiering at La Jolla this summer - I would imagine they too are aiming for Broadway, another jewel for Rachel Chavkin.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/10/22 at 6:41pm

ah --- knew about & Juliet but hadn't known that about Lempicka (or maybe I forgot).

I suppose we will also eventually see JAMIE on Broadway. I don't think the film made enough impact to help or hurt it?

[pablitonizer]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 7:28am

bwaybffs said: "Does anyone know when this is expected to come to Broadway? I’ve tried researching, but I can’t find a proposed time frame. Perhaps nothing’s been announced yet, so curious to know what you guys think"

Nothing has been officially announced yet, but I asked a few members involved in the musical and they said they're *hopefully* aiming for a late spring/summer transfer to Broadway, but it's not really up to them. Some also said due to audience's reaction and interest, Nederlander production is seeing this musical with high hopes 

[theaterdrew]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 10:00am

"They probably also know that this won't be a major Best Musical contender at the Tonys"

Don't underestimate, though, the impact of touring potential on nominations and for that matter, wins.  But, just guessing, I don't see it trying to cram itself into this year's field.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 11:16am

theaterdrew said: "Don't underestimate, though, the impact of touring potential on nominations and for that matter, wins. But, just guessing, I don't see it trying to cram itself into this year's field."

There aren't any touring presenters on the nominating committee.

I know this is an unusual year, but if your logic was true, then Ain't Too Proud, Mean Girls, American in Paris, and Beautiful also would have won Best Musical. I think the critics would have to anoint One More Time as "art" before the Tonys would go out of their way to give it wins (I'm talking about a win in the top category here, not nominations). Especially when you have SIX, which has insane profit potential. One More Time could be a Spongebob situation where it fizzles after 6-9 months and then goes out non-eq.

[theaterdrew]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 11:40am

Yes, but all the musicals you list were nominated (I'm not debating worthiness here) and that was more the point.  After the disasterous pandemic years, I don't think I'm being too cynical on this issue.

But, who knows what impression this will make once reconfigured for a Broadway stage.

[ShowBro]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 4:47pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "One More Time could be a Spongebob situation where it fizzles after 6-9 months and then goes out non-eq."

Except that OUAOMT has Britney Spears’ songbook, which is basically the soundtrack of an entire generation. SpongeBob was all original music.I think you are underestimating her popularity, especially with her conservatorship over. The plot basically follows what is going on in her life rn in real time.  I agree that the writers should lean much more into the adult aspects of the book.

 

 

Updated On: 1/11/22 at 04:47 PM

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 5:02pm

I agree with the sentiment but that doesn’t always execute. There have been plenty of jukebox musical flops. They definitely have some tightening to to the the book, how this is marketed, etc because this has the potential to be a hit. A guaranteed one? Absolutely not. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 5:02pm

Sure, I just don't think the Tony voters (largely male and over 50) have a huge overlap with the Britney songbook, even the gay ones. But we're all getting ahead of ourselves!!!!

[Rydia]

Posted: 4/30/22 at 9:08am

Have there been any updates on this? I loved this stupid show and would love to listen to it again lol. 

[theaterdrew]

Posted: 5/2/22 at 11:18pm

Here's a little something:  Tonight on the American Idol 20th reunion special, Justin G. said "later on this year" he's "going into his 7th Broadway show," which almost cetainly is a reference to OUAOMT.  His statement was definitive, not that he hoped to do so.