BWW Reviews: Is ONCE Enough?

I first saw the Irish film ONCE starring Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova in the movie theater when it came out in 2007. My daughter wasn't that impressed. We saw it a second time and she loved it. We then bought the DVD so we could watch it multiple times. We saw the Tony Award-winning musical production of ONCE on Broadway in 2012. And on May 12th I saw the national tour of ONCE at the Orpheum in Omaha. What can I say? ONCE is not enough. You must see it as many times as possible, because it is unique. It is indefinable. It is a bittersweet love story of longing, and it will leave you wanting more.

I've read that Irish playwright Enda Walsh initially rejected the idea of creating a Broadway musical out of the film because it was "too delicate with little plot." Ironically, he not only went on to write this one-of a kind musical, he won a Tony Award for Best Book. ONCE scored a total of eight Tony Awards in 2012. Hansard and Irglova, who wrote the music and lyrics, also won an Oscar for Best Song, "Falling Slowly" and ONCE won a Grammy for Best Musical Album in 2013.

The musical admittedly does not have a big plot. It's a simple love story of two musicians who meet in Dublin. Guy has almost given up on his music and on love. Girl rescues him from hopelessness with her music and her love. It's an emotional give and take told through music that will move you.

Only once in a long while have I come across someone who leaves me breathless. Dani de Waal does that. Dani is Girl. She doesn't play Girl; she IS Girl. Her vocal solos send chills up my arms with their purity and sincerity. "If You Want Me" makes me want to sob. When she says, "I'm always serious: I'm Czech," I believe that she is Czech and I believe that she is seriously torn by an impossible choice between responsibility and love. All the passion emanates from her. She is quiet, but strong- the steady influence that Guy needs at this point in his life.

Stuart Ward is superb as the Irish singer-songwriter (and Hoover salesman) Guy. He is a softer, kinder Guy than Glen Hansard. Ward undeniably has a great voice and stage presence, but still I was left longing for Hansard with his rough edges and raw appeal.

ONCE goes beyond exceptional Grammy Award-winning music. The orchestra is not in a pit; the twelve musicians are on stage. Each of them is a true musician, playing their instruments with skill and intensity. Each musician is also a defined personality. There is the delightfully brash Billy (Evan Harrington), owner of the music store, who is fiercely protective of Girl and who plays guitar, percussion, and ukulele. There is the Ex-Girlfriend (Cassidy Stirtz) who gracefully plays violin and percussion. There is the wannabe guitarist Bank Manager (Benjamin Magnuson) who actually plays cello and guitar very well. Girl's mother (Tina Stafford) plays accordion and concertina. Reza (Erica Swindell) seduces with feminine wiles and her violin. Da (Scott Waara) sings Irish ballads and plays the mandolin. Each person has a reason for being on stage and together they are one amazingly talented bunch.

What is equally impressive to me is their movement. The choreography by movement director Steven Hoggett is fresh and fascinating. There are times when my blood rushes watching the actor musicians foot-stomping to the music. Then I quiet to them sitting at colorful desks just moving their arms in a way that poetically expresses the lyrics. There are showy dances on the bar. There is a moment when Guy and Girl are standing face to face in absolute silence, then Girl backs slowly away. Every movement is meaningful. There is no waste.

Scenic design by Bob Crowley is simplistic and effective. I loved the use of the large mirror in the background, reflecting the actor musicians when their backs were to the audience. Moving colorful tables on and off the stage is part of the choreography, but also changes the set. Lighting by Natasha Katz is mood altering. Everything works. There is no fault that I can find.

Don't wait to see ONCE. If you've seen it once, you will want to see it again. It's that good.

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