The Modern Fairy Tale Revamped: Britney Spears’ Classic Musical in a Dark New Light
Fans of the West End’s Britney Spears-themed musical, ‘Once Upon a One More Time,’ have been clamouring for more, and it seems their pleas have been heeded. The team behind the contemporary fairy tale has unveiled an intoxicating new performance clip from the production. This performance, featuring the play’s antagonists, Stepmother (Jennifer Simard) and Narrator (Adam Godley), offers a dark spin on ‘Toxic,’ the Grammy-winning top 10 hit by Spears herself.
For those yet to witness this Britney-inspired musical extravaganza, prepare yourself for an unprecedented rendition of ‘Toxic’. While retaining the iconic strings, the buoyant dance-pop rhythm has been transformed into a disquieting, disorienting sonic landscape, morphing into a sinister vocal spectacle by Simard and Godley, both two-time Tony Award nominees.
Does this rendition strike a chord, reminiscent of the moody music of Grammy-sweeping ‘Bad Guy’? The show’s directors and choreographers, Keone & Mari Madrid, confirm the comparison. They have consciously chosen to reimagine ‘Toxic’ with an ambiance influenced by their past collaborations with Billie Eilish. The resulting dark, monochromatic sound reflects their unique interpretation of a hypothetical Eilish cover of ‘Toxic’.
Simard voiced her responsibility and honour in recreating a song that marked Spears’ first Grammy win. She acknowledged that emulating Britney would be a grave error. Instead, a comprehensive transformation of the song was essential for the musical’s narrative. This pivotal moment, portraying the inherent darkness of fairy tales, is instrumental to the musical’s plot. She confidently claims they’ve achieved this delicate balance, which is evident in the video above.
Godley, joining Simard in the entrancing ‘Toxic’ performance, stressed the importance of the song in depicting the characters’ metamorphosis. In the story’s context, this is a significant turning point, as the Stepmother takes decisive action, leading the Narrator into a transformation beyond her control. He commends Simard’s impeccable rendition, highlighting her extraordinary singing prowess.
The directing duo, Keone & Mari Madrid, emphasise the song’s role as a linchpin for the show. They elaborate on the delicate yet sensual power dynamic between the characters, beautifully portrayed by Simard and Godley. Their exceptional talents, they say, enhance the overall performance, like Simard’s astonishing high note towards the end that adds a climax to the piece.
Viewers will be intrigued by Simard’s tantalising high note from the 3:15 time stamp, as well as Liv Battista’s spine-chilling back bend at the 1:40 mark, an impressive feat performed eight times a week.
The directing-choreography duo gives credit to the entire cast and crew who have worked tirelessly to bring this pivotal moment to life. ‘Once Upon a One More Time’ continues to captivate audiences at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway in New York City, redefining the traditional fairy tale with a modern, feminist perspective.
