Once Upon a One More Time - SMITHTOWN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | 9.25.26
Scott Wysocki, Courtney O’Shea.Photo Credit: Jackie St. Louis @jaxxsbSmithtown Performing Arts Center is currently producing the Broadway musical “Once Upon a One More Time” from September 19 to October 25. It is a jukebox musical featuring the music of Britney Spears and before you start thinking “oh I don’t like jukebox musicals because they are never about anything” or “they are silly and designed only to have a reason to sing certain songs” - I’m going to agree. That is how jukebox musicals are and while that lightness is the precise reason why I like them, this particular musical knows exactly what it is and pokes fun all over the place and heightens the enjoyment significantly.
The kicker is, this show isn’t really about ‘nothing’! It reimagines some of your favorite fairy tale princesses and characters, putting them on a path to learn the meaning of female empowerment and self-determination. As children read different fairy tales, we see their story being acted out on stage; and the show begins with a young girl asking to read the story of Cinderella and her story is performed under the watchful eyes of the Narrator. Cinderella (played by Courtney O’Shea) leads the company in the instantly recognizable “Baby One More Time” and you immediately know the night is going to be a treat!
Cinderella invites Prince Charming (played by Scott Wysocki) to scroll club - also known as book club to us modern folks - and he declines her invitation. She then starts to feel lonely and shares her concerns with the girls in scroll club. This is where we meet the rest of the princesses, including Ariel/The Little Mermaid (played by Angelica Vivani) who hilariously depicts her plight having no voice because - as we know how her story goes - she wanted to be human to be with her prince. Cinderella questions if that really is what ‘happily ever after’ means and the rest of the girls join her in singing “Lucky” as they question their own fate and endings.
Anyone who knows me, knows that while I am a Britney super fan…”Lucky” is one of my least favorite songs; so the fact that these girls sang it in a way that I enjoyed and the story itself gave it additional meaning, means something.
Katy Trunz, Jess Ader-Ferretti, Kayla Stallone.Photo Credit: Jackie St. Louis @jaxxsbAnyhoo, we next find Cinderella alone in the forest wishing for more - which summons O.F.G., the Original Fairy Godmother (played by Lindsay Cariello). It’s at this moment that she introduces Cinderella to a book called The Feminine Mystique and educates her on some of the more troublesome aspects of her story. O.F.G. explains that she has escaped this world and now lives a much happier life in Flatbush and encourages Cinderella to read the book, but keep it hidden from others. Cariello is absolutely delightful in this role. She is funny and warm and it is easy to see why Cinderella and the rest of the Princesses admire her. The Narrator calls for Cinderella to return to her house to perform the work scene and we meet her Stepmother (played by Jess Ader-Ferretti) and her Stepsisters (Kayla Stallone and Katy Trunz) and let me tell you - they are absolutely hysterical! The Stepsisters quickly move into a hilarious rendition of “Work Bitch” that will leave your cheeks hurting from laughing so much! Stallone and Trunz have amazing chemistry together and add a crazy amount of comedy to every scene they are in.
Keep an eye on them any time they are on stage…I promise.
Courtney O’Shea, Lindsay Cariello.Photo Credit: Jackie St. Louis @jaxxsbDespite O.F.G. insisting that Cinderella keep ‘The Feminine Mystique’ hidden, it isn’t long before she mucks that up and her Stepmother finds it and takes it from her. She then shares what she learned with Snow White and she offers to help Cinderella get the book back, despite the dangers of crossing into each other’s stories. Back at the palace, everyone is arriving for Prince Charming’s ball and the stage literally erupts with energy. They burst into a mash up of “Boys” and “Pretty Girls,” full of incredible choreography and vocals. Separated from Snow White, Cinderella runs into the Stepmother who offers to return the book to her if she turns the Prince away and gives her spot to one of her daughters. However, before she can discuss this proposition with the Narrator, Prince Charming bursts on the scene with a rousing rendition of “Circus” and knocked my socks off.
At this point in the show, we are close to the end of Act 1 and I don’t like to reveal plot points that far in. If you do, why go? Instead I think there’s far more value in talking about the cast themselves.
Scott Wysocki and Company.Photo Credit: Jackie St. Louis @jaxxsbWysocki is really becoming a force to be reckoned with. I’ve only seen him in a handful of shows, but I’m becoming more and more impressed with him as time goes on. He added runs and riffs to songs that not only lack male vocals completely, but were outstanding to boot! I’ve heard these songs for years and never added what he has…and sadly - for me - he probably wasn’t even alive when these songs came out. Good on you, pal! As for O’Shea as Cinderella…I continue to wonder who this girl thinks she is. She’s got a voice as rich as butter and hearing her on these songs was a treat. I knew it would be, and she didn’t disappoint. I was further impressed with her comedy as well; O’Shea is generally seen in more serious/dramatic roles, and her dry approach to comedy was fantastic and gave her cast mates plenty to play off of. Mancuso as Snow White was another one to pay attention to. This girl has quite the set of pipes! She sings “From The Bottom of My Broken Heart” with Clumsy (played by Evan Torres) and not only did their voices blend amazingly well with each other - Mancuso has got a belt that made everyone look at each other, wide eyed. I’m a huge fan, for sure! The one thing that I will say about Act 2 is about the song “Toxic” led by Ader-Ferretti and Burns. Ader-Ferretti’s sharp tone is perfect for this chilling reinterpretation of the song and wonderfully captures the villainous nature of the Stepmother. You could have heard a pin drop in this theater as she slinked around the stage performing this one - an absolute standout.
The company as a whole was stunning. Burns (who was not only filling in for the Narrator at this performance but also served as the Director and Choreographer of the production) created some really intricate choreography that this company executed nicely while still keeping up with the vocals - which is no small feat. Kudos to Music Director Samantha Free as well, as pristine vocals have become the hallmark of any project she’s part of. The set consisted largely of images on multiple screens - which has become a staple at Smithtown Performing Arts Center - and I’m not mad about it! Collectively, I think the Long Island theater community is getting better and better with adding digital elements/projections to their productions and Smithtown serves as a line leader of sorts with these beautiful screens. They really use them in the right way and it worked exceedingly well with a modern show like this.
All in all - this show and production is a hoot! Whether you are a Britney Spears fan or not, you will thoroughly enjoy the comedy because there’s a little something there for everyone - including a joke from Snow White wondering why nobody will eat her apple crumble - and you will enjoy hearing this music with musical theater styled harmonies, fan or not. This isn’t one that you want to miss! “Once Upon a One More Time” is running until October 25th and tickets can be purchased via their website at smithtownpac.org.
The Kyle Petty Show Live at Theatre Three!
Step out of the audience and behind the scenes! Join us for a special live edition of The Kyle Petty Show, brought to life in a classic late-night talk show format.
Get to know the local actors, crew members, and creative minds who bring Long Island’s stage productions to life. We’re bringing you beyond the curtain with intimate interviews, hilarious party games, and show-stopping live musical performances. Come celebrate our local theatre community, support homegrown talent, and enjoy a night of entertainment where anything can happen!
Cast:
Cinderella - Courtney O’Shea
Prince Charming - Scott Wysocki
Snow White - Zoé Mancuso
Stepmother - Jess Ader-Ferretti
Narrator - James O’Connor, Kevin Burns
O.F.G. Original Fairy Godmother - Lindsay Cariello
Belinda - Kayla Stallone
Betany - Katy Trunz
Prince Erudite - Peter Rudilosso
Clumsy - Evan Torres
Little Girl - Azalea Edwards-Wilson
Belle - Carliana Biasi
Rapunzel - Becca Martowski
Esmerelda - Isabella Giuliano
Sleeping Beauty - DeAnna Mato-Feldmann
Gretel - Kayla Murray
Red Riding Hood - Emillee Assad
Goldilocks - Sky LaBossiere
Princess Pea/Dance Captain - Shea McMahon
Little Mermaid (Cinderella U/S) - Angelica Vivani
Prince Brawny - Bradley Berdecia
Prince Suave - Amani Rodriguez
Prince Mischievous - Bret Aurrichio
Prince Ebullient - Edwin Marcia
Prince Affable - Aidan Luck
Swing - Sam Rubin
Creative Team:
Director/Choreographer - Kevin Burns
Music Director - Samantha Free
Stage Manager - Ronald Green III
