PhotosPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Backstage at Broadway's Once and the "Letterman" Set With J. Michael ZygoThe cast of Broadway's Once performed on "The Late Show With David Letterman" March 29 before heading to the Jacobs for their evening performance. Company member J. Michael Zygo documented this special two-performance day for Playbill.com.
By
Matthew Blank
April 11, 2012
Zygo offers a look at his early-day routines routines, soundcheck and performance at the famous Ed Sullivan Theatre and behind the scenes at show's home on 45th Street.
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Backstage at Broadway's Once and the "Letterman" Set With J. Michael Zygo
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: Backstage at Broadway's Once and the "Letterman" Set With J. Michael Zygo
The cast of Broadway's Once performed on "The Late Show With David Letterman" March 29 before heading to the Jacobs for their evening performance. Company member J. Michael Zygo documented this special two-performance day for Playbill.com. Read the Playbill.com story.
26 PHOTOS
What's up everyone!?! This is J. Michael Zygo sharing with you an amazing day in my life!
J. Michael Zygo
Broadway Softball League practice, the real reason I wanted to be in a Broadway show.
J. Michael Zygo
Time to warm up! Choices, choices.
J. Michael Zygo
Stage door to "Late Show with David Letterman."
J. Michael Zygo
"What? I'm camera ready." Yes, Andy Taylor, yes you are.
That "stage" has been graced by the likes of Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, The Jackson 5, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, The Supremes, The Beatles, and now, the cast of Once!
J. Michael Zygo
In the stairwell on our way to soundcheck for Letterman!!
J. Michael Zygo
Sitting on the stage at the Ed Sullivan theatre, Cristin ponders the statistical probability paradox of her Mega Millions lottery ticket.
J. Michael Zygo
Steven Hoggett, our amazing choreographer, is ready to rock.
J. Michael Zygo
Sing pretty for soundcheck! Belt it out, Anne.
J. Michael Zygo
How does Lucas make a banjo look badass?
J. Michael Zygo
I like this day. Go get 'em Steve!
J. Michael Zygo
If David and Paul are nervous for our first national TV spot, then they hide it well.
J. Michael Zygo
In the green room, ready to rock the "Late Show!"
J. Michael Zygo
13 cast members in Once and 2 of them went to college together. SUNY Geneseo represent!!
J. Michael Zygo
It was (and is always) 48 degrees in the theatre so Elizabeth brought her Once robe. Toasty.
J. Michael Zygo
Along with the other 27 things going on today, it is also my wife (fellow performer and SUNY Geneseo grad) Jillian Zygo's Birthday!! She's showing off her present from her super awesome husband.
J. Michael Zygo
The bar at John's Pizzaria is a fantastic place for in between shows. That's just soda, I promise. I can't speak for Jill though.
J. Michael Zygo
A little yoga warmup before the show. Nice "Warrior 2," everyone. Keep breathing.
J. Michael Zygo
Andrea Goss is on for The Girl for the 1st time tonight!! She killed it.
J. Michael Zygo
Reid, our instrument guru has to tune about 247 instruments before every show. I might have that number slightly wrong.
J. Michael Zygo
Bird's eye view of the stage. Not Larry Bird, that show's down the street.
J. Michael Zygo
Ready to shred some Irish and Czech folk music.
J. Michael Zygo
I love my costume. It's like Bob Crowley just stole a bunch of stuff from my closet at home.
J. Michael Zygo
Places for pre-show!
J. Michael Zygo
Jill's Birthday party turned into all the Once cast coming to the bar to watch the Letterman broadcast. So many things to celebrate!!!! Come see us at the Jacobs Theatre!
The new musical opened March 18, following previews that began Feb. 28, at Broadway's Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. The production transferred to Broadway from an Off-Broadway engagement at New York Theatre Workshop in 2011.
Here's how the producers characterize the musical: "[Once] tells the story of an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant drawn together by their shared love of music. Over the course of one fateful week, their unexpected friendship and collaboration evolves into a powerful but complicated romance, heightened by the raw emotion of the songs they create together. Brought to the stage by an award-winning team of visionary artists and featuring an ensemble cast of gifted actor/musicians, Once is a musical celebration of life and love: thrilling in its originality, daring in its honesty... and unforgettable in every way."
Tickets for the Broadway production are on sale via Telecharge.com or by phone at (212) 239-6200.
