BROADWAY BRACING FOR BOFFO BRITNEY
Star to shine in show that will feature her hits
She did it again.
Britney Spears had one of the most successful concert residencies of all time with her Las Vegas run, earned a Grammy, and landed a halfdozen albums on the Billboard 200 chart — and now she’s taking on Broadway.
A new musical comedy called “Once Upon a One More Time,” set to the songs of the 37-year-old pop superstar, will premiere in Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre this fall before later coming to Broadway. The title is an obvious nod to “...Baby One More Time,” Spears’ 1998 debut single.
“Throughout her career, Britney has captivated fans across the globe with her singular brand of energy and resilience,” James Nederlander, president of his namesake company, said in a statement. “For three years, we have been working closely with her to develop a concept that perfectly encapsulates her unique spirit, and are so thrilled to finally bring this joyous and electrifying show to the stage.”
The jukebox musical won’t center on the former child star’s tumultuous life. Instead, it’ll be a feminist-themed fiction work.
At a book club gathering, fairy tale princesses including Cinderella and Snow White are visited by a fairy godmother who brings their attention to “The Feminine Mystique,” Betty Friedan’s 1963 nonfiction worked celebrated for spurring a second-wave of feminism. The ladies are of course enlightened to the fact that there may “be more to life than bird-made dresses and true love’s kiss,” according to a release.
How fitting for the tale to be set to the tunes of a former Disney pop princess. Spears got her start as a cast member on “The All-New Mickey Mouse Club” before taking off as a solo artist.
“I’m so excited to have a musical with my songs — especially one that takes place in such a magical world filled with characters that I grew up on, who I love and adore,” Spears said. “This is a dream come true for me!”
The show’s original book is written by Jon Hartmere. It’s directed by Kristin Hanggi, who received a Tony Award nomination for directing “Rock of Ages.” Choreography will be done by husband and wife team Keone and Mari Madrid, MTV Video Music Award nominees and stars of Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself ” video. Previews begin in Chicago on Oct. 29. It’ll run there through Dec. 1 before hitting the Great White Way.