Once (musical)

Once is a stage musical based on the 2007 Irish independent film of the same name by John Carney. Like the film, the musical features music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. It is a love story between an Irish busker (referred to as "Guy") and a Czech immigrant flower seller ("Girl") in Dublin, Ireland.

Synopsis: The musical follows Guy, a heartbroken vacuum cleaner repairman who moonlights as a street musician, who has given up on his music. He meets Girl, a Czech immigrant with a sharp wit and a talent for music, who is selling flowers to support herself and her family. Girl is drawn to Guy's music and encourages him to pursue his dreams of moving to London to record a demo album. Over the course of a week, their relationship deepens as they work together on the album, exploring themes of love, loss, hope, and the power of music to connect people. While they form a deep bond, their circumstances prevent them from pursuing a traditional romantic relationship.

Production History: Once premiered at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2011. It then transferred to Off-Broadway, opening at the New York Theatre Workshop in December 2011. The musical opened on Broadway at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in March 2012 and ran until January 2015. It has since been produced in numerous countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, South Korea, and Japan.

Awards and Recognition: Once was a critical and commercial success, winning eight Tony Awards in 2012, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Actor in a Musical (Steve Kazee). It also won the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

Musical Style: The musical features a unique and intimate musical style, using the actors as the orchestra on stage. The cast members play their own instruments throughout the show, creating a raw and authentic sound. The songs are primarily folk and acoustic, reflecting the Irish and Czech musical influences.