Broadway Run of ONCE Postponed, Receives Off B'Way Run

The musical adaptation of the 2006 film "Once" will now receive a production at New York Theater Workshop in November, instead of opening on Broadway in the fall as originally hoped, according to the New York Times.

A Broadway run is still a possibility after the downtown production.

Musicians Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, who played the lead characters in the film as well as won an Academy Award for one of the films' original songs, "Falling Slowly," have written the music and lyrics for the musical. Playwright Enda Walsh wrote the book. The Off-Broadway production will be directed by John Tiffany and choreographed by Steven Hoggett.

"Once" tells the story of an Irish singer and guitarist and a Czech songwriter who become friends through their love of music. They trio then seem to be drawn to each other romantically as well. John Carney wrote and directed the movie.

The new musical previously had a multiweek workshop at the American Repertory Theater, in Cambridge, Mass.

One of the lead producers of the musical, John Hart, said "Our team led by John Tiffany found that we could tell a story that still honored the film but was also very distinct and enriched, as a stage musical, in ways that films aren't."

Hart also said that while the teams first rush of enthusiasm was to head straight for Broadway, "Mr. Tiffany had commitments this year at his artistic home, the National Theater of Scotland, and also wanted to continue refining the musical rather than rush it to Broadway.

"I don't think there's any fixing to do, nothing specific, but we want to take our time and put it before audiences and critics at the New York Theater Workshop to get a clear sense of what we have," Mr. Hart said.

At the American Repertory Theater, the lead roles were played by Steve Kazee (110 IN THE SHADE) and Cristin Milioti. Hart said he hoped the two would continue with the production, but that negotiations were up to the Off Broadway theater.

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