BWW Reviews: ONCE Channels the Music and Romance of the Emerald Isle

Featuring a stage decorated with an upright piano, mismatched chairs and colorful wooden tables, the Palace Theatre's crystal-draped ceilings faded away to become a cozy pub straight off the streets of Dublin, Ireland, during the touring production of "Once," which opened in Columbus on June 9.

Prior to the show, guests meandered around the set, peering curiously into the various-sized mirrors that adorned dark wooden walls. Carefully stepping around cellos and banjos propped up on stands and guitar cases lying on the floor, guests were encouraged to order drinks from the on-stage bar.

When the cast arrived, carrying the instruments they would play live throughout the show, the crowd formed a semi-circle around center stage and clapped as fiddle bows pierced the air and hands beat drums in time to the fast-paced tempo of lively Irish reels. The unexpected appearance of the actors/musicians, as well as the interactivity of the performance space, contributed to the friendly atmosphere. It felt almost as if audience members had stumbled into a village pub on a summer night in Dublin.

As showtime approached, the stage bar closed and audience members shuffled back to their seats, leaving the cast of 13 onstage. During the show, the actors doubled as the orchestra, playing the instruments that underscored each musical number and accompanied set changes.

Winner of eight Tony Awards, "Once" is a musically rich tale of love made even more emotionally potent through the hauntingly beautiful melodies that carry the story forward with each chord progression and key change.

Based on the 2007 Academy Award-winning film of the same name, "Once" follows the story of an Irish musician/vacuum cleaner repairman and a piano-playing Czech immigrant, both of whom use music to make sense of the tumultuous romantic histories they have shared with past lovers. The two main characters' names are not revealed throughout the course of the show, and their respective backstories are explored in a piecemeal fashion. Nevertheless, the music they share nurtures a heartfelt relationship that transcends the complications and trepidations of everyday life.

In the role of Guy and Girl, Stuart Ward and Dani de Waal, respectively, transport audiences to their distinct corner of the world through enchanting melodies performed with a masterful combination of musical precision and empathetic expression.

Playful banter exchanged by members of the cast in lilting Irish accents adds a lighthearted touch, while the eclectic bits and pieces of characters' lives that the audience becomes privy to throughout the show's 2 ½-hour runtime contribute to the viewer's assumed role of a patron at the bar. By simply sitting, listening and watching, the audience becomes inexplicably linked to the strangers on stage, especially as they begin to further delve into the unique aspects of characters' personalities.

At times unexpectedly funny and quick-witted and at others--most notably, the final musical number--heart-wrenchingly bittersweet, "Once" succeeds in taking audiences on a journey full of music and romance that captures the hearts and minds of all those who view it.

Presented by CAPA and Broadway in Columbus, "Once" is set to be performed at the Palace Theatre from June 9 - 14.

Tickets are available at the CAPA ticket center, located at 39 E. State St. and via Ticketmaster. They can also be purchased over the phone by calling (614) 469-0939 or (800) 745-3000. Tickets start at $33.

The Palace Theatre is located at 34 W. Broad St.

Photo Credit: Stuart Ward and Dani de Waal from the ONCE Tour Company / Joan Marcus

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