ONCE Musical Headed to Broadway in February?

Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that the new musical Once, inspired by Dublin street performers and a stage adaptation of the eponymous film, may make it's Broadway debut in February of 2012.  The musical recently received a workshop at The American Repertory Theatre in Boston and will be given a full production at the New York Theatre Workshop in December. 

On the transfer Riedel writes: "The producers are a high-powered team: Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who preside over the James Bond franchise, Fred Zollo ("A Steady Rain") and John Hart (the movie version of "Proof"). They certainly have the clout to land a theater, and I hear they have their sights set on either the Music Box or the Schoenfeld."

For the full report, click here!

Once is based on the Academy Award-winning film. On the streets of Dublin, an Irish musician (Guy) and a Czech immigrant (Girl) are drawn together by their shared love of music. Over the course of one fateful week, an unexpected friendship and collaboration quickly evolves into a powerful but complicated love story, underscored by the emotionally charged music that has made Once an international sensation.

Once begins previews at the New York Theatre Workshop on Tuesday, November 15 and opens Tuesday, December 6.

The cast of Once features Steve Kazee as the Guy and Cristin Milioti as the Girl. Also in the company are David Abeles, Claire Candela, Will Connolly, Elizabeth A. Davis, David PatRick Kelly, Anne L. Nathan, Lucas Papaelias, Andy Taylor, Erikka Walsh, Paul Whitty, and J. Michael Zygo.

Once features music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová (who won the Academy Award in 2008 for Best Original Song for "Falling Slowly" from the film Once); book by Enda Walsh (Disco Pigs, The New Electric Ballroom, Penelope, Hunger, The Walworth Farce); movement by Steven Hoggett (Peter and the Starcatcher, Black Watch); musical supervision by Martin Lowe (Mamma Mia!) and direction by John Tiffany (Black Watch). The set and costume design are by Tony winner Bob Crowley (The Coast of Utopia); lighting design is by Tony winner Natasha Katz (Aida, The Coast of Utopia), and sound design by Clive Goodwin.

The independent Irish film Once was written and directed by John Carney, and starred Mr. Hansard and Ms. Irglová, who wrote the original music and lyrics for the film. It was made for $150,000; shot in 17 days; and grossed $20M worldwide, becoming a critically acclaimed international smash. In addition to the Oscar, Mr. Hansard and Ms. Irglová won the Los Angeles Film Critics Award for Best Music, and the film's soundtrack was nominated for two Grammy Awards.