VIDEO: First Look at ONCE in Rehearsals at Theatre Latte Da

Rehearsals for Theater Latté Da's Once are underway. Winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Once features a book by Enda Walsh with music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. Theater Latté Da Artistic Director Peter Rothstein directs the production with Music Director Jason Hansen and choreography by Kelli Foster Warder. Performances begin September 12 at the Ritz Theater (345 13th Avenue NE in Minneapolis). Single tickets and season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at latteda.org or by calling 612-339-3003.

On the streets of Dublin, an Irish songwriter and a Czech immigrant are drawn together by their shared love of music. Over the course of one fateful week, their unexpected friendship and collaboration quickly evolves into a powerful but complicated love story, propelled by emotionally charged music. Winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Once is an unforgettable show about the power of music to connect us all.

"Once is a sweet yet complicated modern-day love story, but at the heart of it is the power of music to transcend barriers based on culture, language and class," says Director Peter Rothstein.

To launch Theater Latté Da's 21st Season, Rothstein directs two charismatic Twin Cities actors, Ben Bakken and Britta Ollmann. Ben Bakken most recently appeared on the Ritz Theater stage as John Diamond in the highly-successful World Premiere of Five Points. Britta Ollmann returns to Theater Latté Da after appearing in Peter Rothstein's critically acclaimed production of Ragtime. Previous Latté Da credits include Into the Woods, Violet, andSteerage Song. The duo is supported by an ensemble of talented actors including Jay Albright, Francesca Dawis, Martin L'Herault, Molly Sue McDonald, Antonia Perez, Dan Piering, Matt Riehle, Silas Sellnow, Reed Sigmund, and Suzanne Warmanen, all of whom lend unique talent in performing various instruments on stage.

Once features choreography by Kelli Foster Warder, scenic design by Michael Hoover, costume design by Mathew LeFebvre, lighting design by Grant E. Merges, sound design by Kevin Springer, and properties design by Abbee Warmboe

Theater Latté Da is an award-winning Twin Cities musical theater company that combines music and story to illuminate the breadth and depth of the human experience. The company seeks to create new connections between story, music, artist, and audience by exploring and expanding the art of musical theater. www.latteda.org