By Amanda VanNostrand.
Patriotism can be hard to come by, but Irish pride is running rampant in the popular musical Once, currently playing at Arden Theatre Company between now and October 28 th . This musical (winner of 8 Tony Awards in 2012, including Best Musical!) is based on the 2007 film Once starring Glenn Hansard and Markéta Irglová, the two brilliant minds behind the music. A cross between a concert and a musical, and Arden Theatre company does a phenomenal job of showcasing this production.
Once tells the story of Dublin’s grief-stricken musician, Guy (Ken Allen Neely), who meets the optimistic and adorable Girl (Katherine Fried), a single Czech mother who shares in Guy’s affinity for music. The two flirt with the prospect of becoming a couple amidst their longing for companionship and making something more of their lives amidst pain. They discover the power of making music together while encouraging one-another through this particularly unsettling phase of life.
The entire experience of Once is brilliant from the moment one walks into the theatre. The scenic design (David P. Gordon) transports you to Ireland by surrounding theatregoers with black walls with Irish marks. From Guiness, Killians, and Jameson hangings, with, ‘c’mre t’me’ encompassed within a massive empty heart, to large white letters taking up almost the entire wall above the audience saying ‘DO WHAT U CAN DO’ and street signs (Grafton Street) and white lights (which will dance by the end of the performance) hanging from the ceiling, this set provides an Irish hipster setting that causes the room to come alive for the story. To add to the Irish-ness is the live Celtic music played as the audience locates their seats. The cast is made up of musicians, and they all (aside from the two stars of the show) sing, dance, and play their hearts out as they preclude the show with the joy of Irish culture. And to add the final, greatest Irish piece of all, the bar that is used in the last scene of Act I becomes an actual bar for
audience members to revel in throughout intermission.
The story is certainly an engaging one (albeit told in a somewhat somber tone), but what makes this show great is undoubtedly the music. Each number holds the melody and words that combine to create beautiful moments. From ‘Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy’ to the Academy Award Winning ‘Falling Slowly’ (Best Original Song), the score is beautiful from beginning to end. The audience is seated in a circle around the floor stage with aisles between 7 sections. There is a platform above the audiences encircling the theatre, which the musicians use to create live surround-sound; these renditions surrounding the audience bring the music to life, creating an organic experience out of songs that are already sublime.
Also unique to Once are the talents exhibited by cast members. All perform in a flawless fashion, and they are not only the great singers and actors who would typically be found in a musical, but they play instruments throughout as well. Of note are Lucia Brady (age 8) who plays the violin as flawlessly as her adult counterparts; the two stars of the show, Katherine Fried (Girl) and Ken Allen Neely (Guy) play the piano and guitar, respectively. Their chemistry and musical talent contribute perfection to an all around great cast, bringing to the production the sincerity of the music and the story.
“You gotta love Dublin for dreaming…” Whether Irish or not, the musical patriotism of Once is refreshing and lovers of anything musical will be glad to have shared in this experience. The story reflects on quarter-life crises, the imperfections of love and life, and the influence of music. This rendition of Once is a must-see.