BWW Reviews: ONCE at Broadway San Jose This Month

Once is a musical tale of a guy who is heartbroken when his girlfriend moves from Dublin to New York and how an un-expected Czech girl brings him back to life through music. With a book by Enda Walsh and music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, Once's signature appeal is that the actors play their own instruments onstage often while doing movement by Steven Hoggett.

Hodges & Hodges couldn't wait to see this eight time Tony award winning show.

Linda: Once started out as an Indy film that quickly stole hearts. The terms wistful, evocative and angst-ridden were used to describe its power. The highly inventive opening of the stage version immediately draws you in - literally onto the stage. Audience members can saunter center stage before the show begins and buy drinks during the first three songs.

Nick: That was cool. After you left the stage the house lights didn't even dim. They waited until the middle of "Leave," the first song, which was interesting. You could also go up on stage during intermission and grab a drink and have a look at the set.

Linda: I did like the Pub set which, as we know, is the heart of many an Irish village, even one as big as Dublin where the show takes place. Worn mirrors framed in old wood or spotty metal covered every conceivable wall space and they were interspersed with soft-glowing Edison light bulbs. A checkered floor and a long bar helped to give the pub a down home feel and provided a great space for the ensemble who, for the most part, never left the stage.

Nick: I was impressed with the collective performance. They each played their own instruments without a conductor or sheet music and never missed a beat. Certainly, that alone sets this show apart. And having them sit onstage to the sides instead of exiting into the wings was also a novel touch which might have led to the show's popularity.

Linda: I will have to agree to that. There is so much that works in this show. The two leads, Stuart Ward as Guy and then Dani de Waal as Gir, had fine musical and acting chops. We didn't really get to see them dance, so I can't say for sure if they were triple threats. Movement by Steven Hoggett was compelling, especially in one ensemble piece. But for me, there was no there, there. The story lacked a storyline. Sure, there was the basic trope of "write a song, make a demo, try to become famous," but where was the tension? Where was the conflict?

Nick: But the music is beautiful and haunting. At the beginning I was filled with angst because the music takes you to a dark place. But then it stays there and slowly the dirge quality of show gets to be too much.

Linda: There was no give and take to break up the single thread sung throughout the entire show. But seriously, no one does angst like the Irish. Remember the book "Angela's Ashes?" Epic, but a dirge through and through.

Nick: I could see how they tried to break up the songs with comedic dialogue, but a couple of funny lines between songs are hard pressed to hold up a multitude of torchy love ballads. "Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy" was the only song that wasn't oozing with angst and I might have warmed up to the show if I could have understood more of it. Ward had an amazing Dublin accent, but it was so thick, it was hard to understand him. I've met a few people from Dublin - great people - but I had to ask them to repeat themselves many times to understand what they were saying. Sadly, you can't ask actors to repeat themselves from your theatre seat.

Linda: There were a few subtitles.

Nick: In Czech.

Linda: Well, someone got to undertand it. Worse for me was no story arc. Girl makes it clear from the very first that she's married and has no intention of having a relationship with Guy. So there's that. She also has a young daughter, so you know she's not going to just pick up and follow him to New York. Plus, Guy is supposed to be madly in love with another woman.

Nick: Guy's life is changed by her though. He was despondent over losing his girlfriend -- who has moved to New York -- and was pouring out his rage and sorrow through his music, when along comes Girl.

Linda: But if Guy was so depressed about losing the love of his life then how could he so easily forget her and make a play for Girl?

Nick: Girl gives him new life, but near the end (spoiler alert) when he calls the Ex to tell her he's coming to New York, she's pleased. How anticlimactic is that! That would have been the place for some tension.

Linda: Once is just another tale of the brooding man and the upbeat women helping him back to reality.

Nick: It certainly wasn't a love story, though that's what's advertised. Sure, they had feelings for each other, but they never even kissed. I'm not saying that every musical should have a happy ending, but this ending was a bit lackluster. It lacked. . .

Linda: Luster?

Nick: Yes. Now we're resorting to stealing lines from another show. That's sad!

Linda: But funny.

Hodges and Hodges would like to say that if you enjoy angsty love ballads with a smattering of humor thrown in then go and see Once - otherwise you can watch the 2006 film Once. The cast sings beautifully and the instrumentation is absolutely flawless, but you might want to buy the cast album on ITunes or listen to it on YouTube.

ONCE
Book by Enda Walsh
Directed by John Tiffany
Starring Stuart Ward and Dani de Waal
Now through April 26
Broadway San Jose
www.broadwaysanjose.com
Photo by Joan Marcus

To post a comment, you must register and login.