Once, the intimate new Dublin-set musical which began its New York life at Off-Broadway's New York Theatre Workshop prior to Broadway, recouped its commercial investment after 21 weeks (169 performances) at Broadway's Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. The production officially opened March 18.
The musical, which took home eight 2012 Tony Awards, features a Tony-winning book by award-winning Irish playwright and screenwriter Enda Walsh with music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová.
Directed by Tony winner John Tiffany, the cast of Once features Tony winner Steve Kazee as Guy with 2012 Tony nominee Cristin Milioti as Girl. Also in the company are David Abeles, Will Connolly, 2012 Tony nominee Elizabeth A. Davis, David Patrick Kelly, Eliza Holland Madore, Anne L. Nathan, Lucas Papaelias, Ripley Sobo, Andy Taylor, Erikka Walsh, Paul Whitty and J. Michael Zygo.
Once, according to producers, "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."
The musical features movement by Steven Hoggett, music supervision and orchestrations by Tony winner Martin Lowe, set and costume design by Tony winner Bob Crowley, lighting design by Tony winner Natasha Katz and sound design by Toy winner Clive Goodwin. Once is produced by Barbara Broccoli, John N. Hart Jr., Patrick Milling Smith, Frederick Zollo, Brian Carmody, Michael G. Wilson, Orin Wolf, The Shubert Organization and executive producer Robert Cole in association with New York Theatre Workshop. As previously announced, the production will begin a U.S. national tour summer 2013.
The intimate stage musical — whose many scenes in and around Dublin, Ireland, are conjured on designer Bob Crowley's unit set that is an Irish pub — is said to have cost $5.5 million.
The show is based on the hit indie film of the same name, written and directed by John Carney. The movie's songwriter-stars Hansard and Irglová won the Academy Award for the film's central theme — a song called "Falling Slowly." The soundtrack's songs (including their signature hit) are reinvented in the show, giving moody and robust voice to the characters.
Prior to its developmental run at NYTW Nov. 15, 2011-Jan. 15, 2012, Once had a developmental run at the American Repertory Theater (Cambridge, MA) in April 2011.
The original cast recording of Once, from MasterworksBroadway, is sold at PlaybillStore.com.
Tickets for the Broadway production are now on sale via Telecharge.com or by phone at (212) 239-6200. For more information, visit oncemusical.com.
