The plot of Jon Hartmere’s musical “Once Upon a One More Time” explores said female struggles with a twist, featuring what happens when characters from bedtime stories decide their feelings of emptiness are worth acting upon… communicated in the form of Britney Spears songs. When given Betty Freidman’s “ Feminine Mystique” by their Fairy Godmother, Cinderella and her friends from ‘scroll club,’ the magical equivalent to book club, feel empowered, both inside and outside of their stories. 

Louisville’s upcoming Spring Musical choice has been a hot topic on many theatergoers’ minds since school began. A Britney Spears Jukebox musical seems like a drastic change for our theater program, recently featuring much more traditional shows such as 1776  and The Secret Garden. However, Ms. Powell, has a lot to say on her choice for the year.

The show is structured by periodic appearances of a little girl reading the fairytales of princesses she admires, who will be played by a younger girl personally cast by Ms. Tracy Powell. However, when she is not reading, the princesses are more inclined to challenge the norms put in place by both Prince Charming and the audience. 

“[This musical] really begs the question, who are you when no one is watching?” says Ms. Powell.

Her first introduction to this musical was during its three-year Broadway run. She recalls being able to feel the energy and spirit of the show from both the audience and the actors onstage, which inspired her decision to put it on this year.

Ms. Powell’s choice was also heavily affected by the opportunity for dance in this show, as our last few musicals have not required our star concert dancers, it was time for some more choreography. She also thinks it is a good opportunity to push the entire cast to be ensemble dancers in the multiple audience-dazzling group numbers.

Alumni Chloe Emerick ’19, who has experience on various esteemed dance teams and, in Powell’s words,“danced her way through college,”  plans to be an assistant choreographer this year. Her contribution will help clean and perfect the pop style that Ms. Powell is aiming to create. 

“Dance team is definitely hard, but it’s different from what I made my living with,” said Ms. Powell.

For those who have never been in the upstairs pavilion during a Spring Musical rehearsal, efficiency is a huge factor. Being able to choreograph/block two things at once is highly prioritized during theater season, which will be all the more possible with a talented assistant choreographer like Chloe.

Vocally, some classic theater sound enthusiasts were initially disappointed with the pick for this year, however, Ms. Powell says the show will provide an opportunity to showcase “a different side to people’s voices and personalities.” 

She also noted that there will be “a ton of surprises and most importantly, fun.”

The show, of course, will emphasize the Britney Spears ‘poppy’ sound, most likely using tracks (rather than the usual use of a band) to capture the studio-exclusive 2000s “it-girl” anthems in their full glory.

Other things to look forward to are the possibility of a guest artist playing our Narrator and the bold and modern choices Mr. Dan Mailey is expected to make with costuming, whether that be ball gowns or disco jumpsuits.

For the time being, the Louisville theatre department will be occupied with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, which started rehearsals as of September 10, and opens on November 21st - so mark your calendars!