Reviews: Once Upon a One More Time at Independence HS
Written by Ellen Lawton of Herndon High School
Shake off those glass slippers and let down your hair—it's high time "happily ever after" got a more modern makeover. And at Independence High School's production of Once Upon a One More Time (High School Version), the princesses are finally pushing Prince Charming out of the limelight.
When teatime and tiaras are all you know, it's not easy to imagine a different ending to the story. But in Once Upon a One More Time, written by Jon Hartmere, some of the world's most beloved princesses begin to band together and ask if there might be more out there. Could a woman become a beautician, a brain surgeon, or even (gasp) a writer? Soundtracked, appropriately, by the songs of pop's favorite princess, Britney Spears, the show premiered in 2023, an all-out spectacle.
Independence's production packed in plenty of supersonic, star-powered energy, with no shortage of detail or dedication. From the pop-concert poses of the choreography to the stunning lattices of smoke and lights, every number felt like it would fit right into a real Spears show. And all this was only setting the stage for its star, everyone's favorite fairy-tale sweetheart: Princess Cinderella.
Samantha Shroeder shone in the show's freshly feminist take on the character. With a voice as clear as crystal (or perhaps a glass slipper), numbers like "Cinderella" were beautifully touching. Over the course of the story, Shroeder's princess poise and dainty accent gave way to a determined stance, with Cinderella's newfound confidence on full display. Moments of uncertainty were just as compelling, too, such as in the standout ballad "Everytime." As Prince Charming, Chase Danzenberger proved a stellar scene partner—the pair's dysfunctional relationship was set off well by Danzenberger's screwball energy, with a tendency to dash when things got difficult. And in numbers like "Oops!... I Did It Again," Danzenberger had full command of the stage, hitting high notes in a flawless falsetto.
As one of Prince Charming's (many) other princesses, Snow White (Lily Knoll) dazzled with both dim-wittedness and an undeniable spunk. Despite her poor sewing and even poorer spelling, Snow White was clearly no novice when it came to comedic timing. In an impressively tragic shift, Knoll's beautiful voice in "From the Bottom of My Broken Heart" only amplified her anguished face. And as one of Snow White's companions, Clumsy (Grant Camat) charmed with each moment onstage—tripping over everything and tossing dishware in all directions.
The whole show truly felt ripped from the pages of a storybook, set against enchanting, hand-painted backdrops done by the set team (Sofia Pistolesi, Jeremy Landes, Austin Zhou, Elijah Flores). Cheerful woodland cottages and captivatingly detailed castles seemed to unfold right before the eyes. And as staircases seamlessly swirled across the floor and trees flickered with tiny lights, the world of fairy tales felt like a living, breathing place. Equally magical was the work of the ITPA Lighting Team, leaving such beautiful scenes awash in dreamy pinks and blues. For the showstopper numbers, however, they went all out- beams of light shooting every direction, the smoke throwing them into sharp relief. Prince Charming, in particular, was set off by a scarlet-red light show in "Circus."
With such a brilliant, bold performance, Independence's "Once Upon a One More Time" might indeed leave audiences asking for "one more." But even as the clock strikes midnight, never fear- for as the princesses find out, "happily ever after" is merely the start of another story.
Written by Lucia Wilkerson of Oakton High School
A glitter-drenched, high-heeled rebellion is taking place at Independence High School, with damsels who are not in distress—and certainly "not that innocent." Set to Britney Spears' greatest hits, Once Upon a One More Time (High School Version) urges its heroines to trade away their glass slippers for a chance to rewrite their own destinies.
The musical began production in 2017 with Spears herself attending the first reading. After premiering in Washington, D.C. in 2021, it opened at the Marquis Theater on Broadway on June 22, 2023 and ultimately closed later that year. Set in a fantasy storybook land, the show follows the stories of beloved fairytale characters who find themselves transformed by a feminist awakening. Nominated for a 2024 Drama Desk award for Outstanding Costume Design of a Musical, "Once Upon a One More Time" addresses the issues of sexism and gender inequality in society and the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in modern literature and media.
One of the most crucial parts of a successful production is its marketing. Not only was Independence High School's social media presence crucial in obtaining a diverse audience of theatregoers, but ITPA Marketing Team's organization and commitment to a uniform aesthetic led to masterfully crafted and persuasive advertisements alongside multiple fundraiser events. Overall, the production embodies the true spirit of the early 2000s bubblegum-pop genre, and conveys a message that is relevant to the young people of today.
Leading the cast was Samantha Shroeder as Cinderella, whose progression from a timid and obedient storybook character into a confident changemaker was both compelling and vocally impressive, particularly in her powerful rendition of Britney Spears' "Cinderella." Chase Danzenbaker portrayed Cinderella's moral opposite—Prince Charming—with nuance, expertly portraying the prince's growth, as his selfish and vain exterior began to disappear resulting in a character who is able to learn from his mistakes and push away lies that had been taught to him by the misogynistic culture of storyland.
Notable supporting characters include Snow White (Lily Knoll), the fairest, but not brightest of them all, as well as the best friend of Cinderella. Among the supporting cast, Knoll shined, particularly with her heartfelt rendition of "From The Bottom of My Broken Heart," revealing emotional depth beneath her fairytale exterior. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the sassy and strong-willed Rapunzel (Riley Lusk) created an effective and stark contrast to the childlike naivete of Knoll's Snow White.
Designed by Sofia Pistolesi, Jeremy Landes, Austin Zhou, and Elijah Flores, the set featured a main castle set piece, two moving staircases with elaborate hand railings, and a hand painted mural of Snow White's cottage. Paired with the ITPA Lighting Team's over 800 lighting cues and special effects—the use of bold color palettes, concert-style lighting, and fog machines—the stage became a sparkling storybook world brought to life.
Once Upon a One More Time (High School Version) at Independence High School proves to be far more than just a Britney Spears jukebox musical--it's a vibrant call for positive change, female empowerment, and the importance of rewriting the narrative. Through dazzling visuals, and many strong performances, the cast and crew of Independence High School delivered a production that was entertaining, yet extremely relevant. Not just retelling old fairytales, but spinning them into something entirely new and unforgettable.