The idea for a musical using Britney Spears' songs was first announced in May 2017.
Sony Pictures acquired the film rights to 'Once Upon A One More Time' in April 2019, with Britney Spears set to produce the film adaptation.
Musical Composition
The musical 'Once Upon a One More Time' features a unique blend of fairy-tale characters and modern feminist themes, using Britney Spears' hit songs to tell the story.
Songs from Britney Spears such as 'Baby One More Time', 'Oops!... I Did It Again', and 'Toxic' are cleverly integrated into the storyline, reflecting the characters' journeys and emotions.
The licensing agreement to use Britney Spears' songs in the musical was signed after her conservatorship ended in 2022.
Production Facts
'Once Upon a One More Time' debuted on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre on June 22, 2023, but it had a short run, closing on September 3, 2023.
The main characters in 'Once Upon a One More Time' include classic fairy-tale princesses like Cinderella, Snow White, and the Little Mermaid, who experience transformative feminist awakenings.
The show starts with a meta-narrative where characters 'audition' to be the chosen story of a little girl, highlighting the playfulness of the musical's format.
The musical includes a magical character, the original fairy godmother named O.F.G., who introduces Cinderella to feminist literature, catalyzing the plot.
The narrative conflict escalates when the fairy-tale characters, led by Cinderella, push for their own stories and autonomy, culminating in a mass march to Flatbush, symbolizing their break from tradition.
'Once Upon a One More Time' ends with a powerful message of empowerment and self-reliance, celebrating the possibilities beyond 'happily ever after'.
Britney Spears personally attended the first reading of 'Once Upon A One More Time' in 2018.
The initial premiere of 'Once Upon A One More Time' was supposed to happen in Chicago in 2019 but was delayed multiple times, finally debuting in Washington DC in 2021.
Keone and Mari Madrid, noted for working with artists like Justin Bieber and Kendrick Lamar, directed and choreographed the show.
After its initial run, the show closed on Broadway after performing 42 previews and 83 regular performances in 2023.
