New ONCE National Tour Hits the Road in Philadelphia Tonight

Beloved folk/indie blend Broadway musical ONCE will, once more, hit the road.

A new national tour of the eight-time Tony-winning musical opens tonight, January 15, in Philadelphia before traveling coast-to-coast with stops in Los Angeles, Detroit and more.

ROCK OF AGES alum Sam Cieri and Boston Conservatory student Mackenzie Lesser-Roy will lead the cast.

ONCE is the celebrated new musical based on the Academy Award-winning film. It tells the story of an Irish musician ("Guy") and a Czech immigrant ("Girl") drawn together by their shared love of music. Over the course of one fateful week, their unexpected friendship and collaboration evolves into a powerful but complicated romance, heightened by the raw emotion of the songs they create together. Brought to the stage by an award-winning team of visionary artists and featuring an ensemble cast of gifted actor/musicians, ONCE is a musical celebration of life and love: thrilling in its originality, daring in its honesty... and unforgettable in every way.

Currently planned engagements include:

ONCE features the Academy Award-winning music and lyrics of Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, a book by award-winning Irish playwright & screenwriter, Enda Walsh (Penelope, Hunger, The New Electric Ballroom), direction by the acclaimed Scottish director of Black Watch, John Tiffany, movement by Steven Hoggett (Black Watch, American Idiot) and music supervision and orchestrations by Martin Lowe (Mamma Mia!). The set and costume design are by five time Tony Award winner Bob Crowley (The Coast of Utopia, Mary Poppins), lighting design is by Tony winner Natasha Katz (Aida, The Coast of Utopia), and sound design is by Clive Goodwin.

SAM CIERI (Guy) was born in Boca Raton, FL. After high school, Sam went from being a dueling piano player at The Mirage in Las Vegas to playing music in the New York City subways to pay the bills, and after a quick stint as a motorcycle salesman, he decided to come to the theatre. Most recently, Sam was seen in Rock of Ages as Drew. He is very excited to be involved in Once and would like to thank his friends and family for their love and support.

MACKENZIE LESSER-ROY (Girl) is honored to join the cast and crew of Once. Mackenzie is a NY-based actor and musician and currently a junior musical theater major at The Boston Conservatory. Regional Credits: Spring Awakening (Wendla), Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman), The Threepenny Opera (Jenny).