Holy Crap! ONCE!

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/27/11 at 10:28pm

If you haven't already purchased a ticket to "Once," and you expect to catch this after the word of mouth circulates I have two words for you: good luck.

This is a very, very special show. It is simple, beautiful and takes your heart for a ride. The book is one of the best for a musical I've heard in a while. The score is gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! The orchestrations are lush (everyone plays an instrument, and damn is this ensemble talented!).

Cristin Milioti is playing "GIRL" and is giving a terrifyingly brilliant performance. She is an unwavering force, complete with Czech accent and never cracking a smile the entire 2 hours. She has an act 2 heartbreaking solo at the piano that will put her smack in the middle of the Tony battle if this transfers to Broadway. I hope to be making a return trip and when I do I hope to be able to stagedoor and tell her face to face how wonderful I think her performance is.

Steve Kazee is also extremely strong as "GUY." This act one number he sang in the bank sent chills all over. Strikingly handsome and charming, he is such a natural in this role you feel as if he isn't acting at all but truly is this character in real life. Often a performance of restraint, you can sense all the feelings brewing below the surface that don't need to communicated with words.

I could honestly write a paragraph of praise for each member of the ensemble. David Patrick Kelly, you broke my heart in your second act scene. Anne Nathan is dependable as always and Elizabeth Davis reminded me of Laura Benanti from Women of the Verge.

As if this show didn't have enough going for it, John Tiffany has directed it with fluidity and flair. He's another one who would have an easy time finding Tony love on a transfer. (BTW, speaking of directors, had a celebrity sighting of Joe Mantello in the audience!)

Bravo and congrats to all involved! This truly reminds me of why I keep going to theater night after night. Heaven help the show I see after this because I have a feeling it will only pale in comparison.

[blaxx]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 1:04am

How does it compare to the film? Will it arrive on Broadway soon enough to save this sad season of bland and crap new musicals?

[willep]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 1:09am

I honestly don't think I could be more excited for this show. Have not heard anything but raves. I hope it lives up to the expectations. The 18th can't come soon enough!

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 1:23am

@blaxx the problem with your statement is.... where does it go if it transfers? every theater is full right now or will be......

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 2:50am

The January Slaughter has yet to begin. (Mostly because it isn't even December yet!) Every year a big number of shows announce their closing for the month of January. I'd be suprised if something doesn't open up -- or several somethings.

Whizzer, I love your enthusiasm for the show and look forward to seeing it (have tix for near the end of the very short run!) -- but I need to ask one question: What the heck does the fact that the character doesn't smile such an amazing feat to you? I just thought it was an odd thing to seem to praise.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 8:47am

I loved it and hope it transfers as well! I don't know if I share the absolute enthusiasm though. The cast, I'll agree is flawless. I think I didn't even breath all through Cristin Milioti's solo song, it was just so beautiful and intense. But I also think the 1st act needs some serious book revisions. The second act was flawless, romantic and to the point, but the 1st wavered around for a long time with comedic dialogue that didn't really work.

I thought the whole music store owner bit was unnecessary, and not funny at all. I know they had to work with a short movie to draw the book out, but I'd rather they put in some songs that they just took out form the films. I can't comprehend why they'd take out 'Lies,' since that is one of the musical highlights of the original album. And it would've been nice to work the song 'Once' in other than just through the brief vamps put in throughout. The whole story of the movie was told through music. It's so powerful, it almost didn't need what little dialogue scenes it had. I think the show could take a page from that and shove some of the 'comedic' bits and put another song or two back in.


I'll add my answer to blaxx--- It's still better than any musical I've yet seen on Bway this season. LOADS better. But like I said above, I've always thought the film flawless in every way. I think the comedic elements and the removal of a few key songs really disrupted the flow of the book. I didn't really feel or care much until we got into the 2nd act.

Updated On: 11/28/11 at 08:47 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 9:32am

I adore this production. The cast is perfect. The direction is perfect. All of it magic. Its going to be a big hit.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 9:47am

dramamama- First, my enthusiasm has not waned after waking up this morning. Only thing is I'm saddened I'm not listening to a recording with this cast right now!

Second, I praised her not smiling because she is a tough character, and yet still so easy to love. Kind of like the same way I love Caroline Thibodeaux. It's easy to understand why people love performers (and the characters they portray) like Kristin Chenoweth and Kelli O'Hara. They are warm, sunny and usually make you laugh and feel good.

On paper there isn't so much to love about Girl, or Caroline. They are hardened, they wear a scowl. They aren't even like a Phyllis or Joanne who are aware of their humor and sharp wit. These are characters endeared to the audience almost solely because of the actor portraying them. Milioti is a like a sailor's knot that's been tied and retied so many times that she's now a ball of hurt that may never be set right, and she'll be damned if she let's you try to untangle anymore than she's ready to give. Yet from the moment she opens her mouth you're in love and ready to let your heart break for her. It's easy for a Dolly Levi to have the audience in the palm of her hand- the role is written that way. It's quite a task to be cold and have the same effect.

Katurian- Maybe I should have stated I've never seen the movie, though will check it out now. I had nothing to compare this too, and thought as a piece of the theater the book worked so well. I'll definitely share my thoughts once I see the film.

Updated On: 11/28/11 at 09:47 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 10:02am

I'll second the thoughts on Milloti. As someone who has also never seen the film, what she brings to this role is so unique and special it's ironically almost impossible for me to imagine anyone else playing the role.

Beyond the qualities Whizzer describes (which I agree with) Milloti also has the rare gift of transcendence. She's ethereal, even in her seriousness - a truly angelic energy as a character who could almost be considered an angel-sent for the the 'Guy' who is desperately searching for a life raft.

After I saw this musical (Wednesday night) I wanted to rush home and watch the movie; but since then I've changed my mind. This musical, on stage - as it is, is the perfect ONCE for me. I don't need to see the movie and have that comparison. This show is special just as it is.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 10:08am

It's funny the comments on Milloti. I went in with the same feeling only about defending Marketa. In the film, Marketa was essentially playing herself in her meeting with Glen (a relationship that later turned into a romantic one), so it was absurd at first to me that someone would be playing her, playing herself, onstage. Milloti did a phenomenal job of it though, and didn't strive too hard to copy Marketa's really unique singing style, but instead made something of her own. She was absolutely the highlight of the show for me.

I really just laughed at your post though, Michael Bennett! I went with someone who likewise worships the film, and we both view it as the most perfect musical movie ever made. Both of our problem with the show was that it took something perfect, the film, and changed it, and of course, it's not so perfect once its been changed. The movie means to much to me, I've watched it countless times on many a date, played the score on the piano for years, and seen The Swell Season & The Frames in concert several times over the past decade. Maybe it is best going into this show with no preconceptions, because what I took away from it was that it was a lesser product than the film. Not a bad product, I really quite enjoyed it, just a lesser one.



Still though, I don't mean to be pushy, but WHY was 'Lies' taken out? At all the concerts, that got some of the most applause of any song from the film.

Updated On: 11/28/11 at 10:08 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 10:33am

It was taken out because they aren't trying to duplicate the film on stage and aren't trying to compete with the memory people (like you who loved the film) have for it.

I imagine if the time comes that I see the film, I will find it slight compared to my experience of the play. To each its own, but isn't it wonderful this story can be moving to audiences who discover it regardless of the medium?

[Katurian2]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 10:39am

It's wonderful, but to me, taking "Lies" out of the show would equate to taking something like "Make em Laugh" out of 'Singin' in the Rain' to a stage transfer. No, it's not the Big Number, but it's one of the songs in the movie that most gets at the soul of Guy's past experience and how he came to his current state. I know it's a medium transfer, and trust me when I say the show is radically different enough from the film on its own right now, and really treads no line to copying it too much. I just felt like the 1st act in particular diverted too much from what we're really meant to care about in the story, which is Guy & Girl's relationship. The fleshing out of the banker was a nice touch and I really enjoyed his performance, but I didn't know why I was meant to be paying attention to the annoying flatmates or the music store owner, when the core relationship wasn't being adequately addressed. I get that the film was so intimate between the two that it would be difficult to put just that onstage, but I'd think there'd be another way to bring it out instead of all the diversions that popped up.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 10:44am

katurian, you are unable though (and I'm sure you are the first to admit this) to separate the characters and their journeys from those laid out in the film version. What you are saying didn't work for you is based purely on speculation because of what you saw in the film.

As someone who hasn't seen the film, none of what you describe as having missed matters - the musical was completely successful on its own terms - I felt NOTHING was lacking in the central relationship. Nothing. I was completely captivated by the relationship from start to finish and didn't come away feeling intrinsically that what those characters really needed was 'another song' - to flesh out their back stories or their relationship.

[MadonnaMusical]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 10:46am

OH MY GOD!!?? They took out "LIES" ???????? That's my absolute favorite........ this is not good...

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 10:48am

You can listen to it on your ipod on your way home from the theatre.

EDIT: Okay I listened to "Lies" - and I understand why they cut it. Musically, its progression is similar to "Following Slowly" and I think including it in the musical would have potentially weakened the impact that "Falling Slowly" has in the stage version (I understand "Falling" is used in slightly different context on stage, and to highly emotional results I might add.)
Updated On: 11/28/11 at 10:48 AM

[defygravity24]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 11:13am

I saw it opening night and I loved it. NYWT always does such innovative things. The show was so intimate and the music was beautiful and the cast was unbelievably talented and the staging was beautiful. Definitely worth the ticket price (which I think is only like $25?)

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 11:21am

Many, many thanks to all the detailed reporting back on this. I'm beyond excited.

Does this have a Broadway theater yet? Is the transfer still happening in February?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 11:45am

Ugh. I need to see this the second I get back into town.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 11:50am

Ugh. I was originally planning to go the 18th but because I'm a BIG DUMB IDIOT I waited and now it's sold out

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 11:54am

I just checked and it's sold out for a couple of weeks so I need to wait.

Where are the $25 tickets someone mentioned?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 12:12pm

Jordan- the shows on Sunday nights at NYTW are almost always only $20 (cash at the box office). These performances are normally the first to sell out. Perhaps the person who paid $25 didn't go to the box office and had to pay service fees.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 12:22pm

Michael Bennett, you're totally right, and I do recognize that as a weakness in the way I'm perceiving the show. But the film, though small, has quite a devoted fanbase, and if it doesn't please its established followers, I think that's a shortcoming. I'm really glad though that it seems to have done an odd feat and created more emotional connection for newcomers than people who are familiar with it.

"Lies" does take place long after "Falling Slowly" though, so I don't think it would have any impact on the emotionality of that song at all. "Lies," as I remember it, occurs after "Gold" in the film, and is done to flashbacks of Guy's ex-girlfriend. Since they still put the ex-girlfriend in the show, I don't see why the song couldn't be. I was just a bit annoyed that there were 15-ish minute gaps between full songs in the show, and so many quality songs like "Lies," "Fallen From the Sky," "Trying to Pull Myself Away" and "All the Way Down" were cut. That being said, I did appreciate the new interludes and songs, especially Guy's in the 2nd act.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 12:23pm

Yes, thanks to everyone for the reports, pro and (occasionally) con. I've never heard of the movie, but I'll look for it and hope the stage version makes its way to the West Coast.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 2:14pm

"Perhaps the person who paid $25 didn't go to the box office and had to pay service fees."

These tickets are only sold at the box-office. I went last week and the only 20 dollar seats available were for New Year's day. I opted instead for a nice seat on Christmas Eve day at full price...according to the B.O. guy, the run is already pretty sold.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/28/11 at 2:22pm

You will never hear me say that a show should include x, y, or z to appease fans of the film. If your only criticism is that the musical didn't include some moments you like in the movie than there really isn't too much to debate. The movie also didn't provide the singular experience of seeing and hearing this story performed live. They must be treated as totally separate entities as there really isn't a fair evaluation between two different art forms.

As already stated earlier - I really thought the book was stellar and unique. I think an attempt to further 'flesh' out this strange, ambiguous romance would be to sentimentalize it. I'm sure the extra music helped depict, what I assume was a mostly visual/aural experience of the story on film. But on stage, this adaptation was completely satisfying exactly as it is.


Updated On: 11/28/11 at 02:22 PM