Revolution in Rhythm: Britney Spears’ Discography Reimagined in Broadway’s ‘Once Upon a One More Time
The Marquis Theatre on Broadway is now featuring a unique musical performance that dives into Britney Spears’ rich discography. The show, titled “Once Upon a One More Time,” tells the story not of Spears herself, but of a cast of fairytale characters, all set to the tune of her most memorable songs including “Crazy” and “Circus.”
The narrative plays out in two acts and covers over 20 of Spears’ hits. In this fresh interpretation of classic tales, characters such as Cinderella and other princesses strive to redefine their “happily ever after” narratives and seek independence. Their journey is catalyzed by a covertly obtained copy of the ground-breaking work “The Feminine Mystique” by Betty Friedan.
Jon Hartmere, the author of the musical, noticed the parallels between the plot and Spears’ own life trajectory. The concept of women living in sheltered environments, then waking up to their potentials, is both captivating and familiar. Interestingly, Spears gave her endorsement for the production, even providing some initial ideas for the plot. This involvement was one of her earliest after gaining freedom from her conservatorship in November 2021.
The idea for the musical was born when an agent from Creative Artists Agency suggested to James L. Nederlander, a Broadway theatre owner, producer, and president of the Nederlander Organisation, that a musical based on Spears’ discography would resonate with audiences. Given his successful past experience with artist-focused musicals, Nederlander and his team recognized Spears’ global appeal and cultural significance.
Spears’ love for fairy tales, princesses, and butterflies heavily influenced the show’s primary themes. Her team was keen to emphasize that the musical was not intended to be a biography but rather a way to pay tribute to and profit from her 30-year career in a manner that respected her past exploitation.
The development of “Once Upon A One More Time” saw multiple iterations, with each one receiving Spears’ approval. In the spring of 2018, she even attended a reading and gave the go-ahead for further development. The project attracted the director-choreographers Keone and Mari Madrid, who were surprised but excited to join despite their limited experience in musical theatre.
The show’s initial premiere, scheduled for October 2019 in Chicago, was postponed to April 2020 due to the pandemic. This pause gave Hartmere the chance to refine the show for Broadway. After Spears’ conservatorship ended, she entered into a rights agreement with the production, securing a share of the revenue from the Broadway show and any future productions or licensing.
While the show has seen significant changes since its initial readings, the core themes have remained the same. Song arrangements, plot details, and even lyrics have been tweaked to capture the story’s essence in the best possible way. Throughout these changes, Spears’ influence has remained central to the show’s development.
The musical’s comedic tone and grand production style have been well-received in early audience tests. The team behind the musical is looking forward to the upcoming Broadway premiere and is eager to see how the full audience will respond to this unique blend of Spears’ music and fairy tale narratives.
