January 16, 2026 by The Company Theatre
A bold, funny and empowering fairytale remix arrives on the South Shore this winter as Once Upon A One More Time opens Friday, January 16, at The Company Theatre, featuring a full live band performing 23 of Britney Spears’ biggest hits. Hingham residents John Heffernan, Winslow Levin, and Laura Burns perform in the production. Heffernan plays Prince Gregarious, Levin plays Betany, one of Cinderella’s stepsisters, and Burns plays Goldilocks.
The jukebox musical turns classic fairytales upside down when a fairy godmother goes rogue and introduces storybook heroines to The Feminine Mystique. As familiar princesses begin questioning the stories they’ve always been told, they set out on a quest to redefine “happily ever after”, on their own terms, all underscored by the high-energy sound of live music.
The production is presented by A.C.T. Youth Productions, part of the Academy of the Company Theatre (A.C.T.), an educational performing arts program founded in 1987 that places live music at the center of its training. Students receive instruction in acting, voice and dance while performing in full-length musicals accompanied by professional live music, an experience typically reserved for adult professional productions.
Each year, A.C.T. produces youth and teen theatrical and musical productions, all performed with grand sets, elaborate costumes and live music, reinforcing the program’s commitment to professional-level theater. A.C.T. is the educational arm of The Company Theatre, a regional professional theater known for its dedication to live performance and immersive theatrical experiences. In addition to productions, A.C.T. offers year-round classes and workshops for children, teens and adults taught by established theater artists who focus on strong technique, creativity and confidence.
The teen production of Once Upon A One More Time is directed by Sally Ashton Forrest, co-director of The Company Theatre, who said the musical offers far more than pop nostalgia.
“I honestly went into it thinking the appeal would be the Britney Spears music,” Forrest said. “But I was surprised by how strong the story is. It’s smart, funny and deeper than I expected, and that’s what really sold me.”
Forrest added that the combination of story and live music makes the show especially engaging.
“Once people hear what the story is really about, they realize it’s funny, smart and meaningful,” she said. “At the end of the day, it’s just a really fun night at the theater.”
Among the cast is high school student Jake Martins, who plays Prince Charming and says the production delivers big laughs and high energy.
“It’s a big show, and it’s very comedic,” Martins said. “We have a lot of talented people in our cast and our crew is amazing. ”
Performances of Once Upon A One More Time run:
- Friday, January 16
- Saturday, January 17
- Sunday, January 18
- Friday, January 23
- Saturday, January 24
- Sunday, January 25
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at
https://ci.ovationtix.com/35067/production/1250186