Complete Casting Announced for ONCE at Theatre Three

The 2011 hit Broadway musical Once, inspired by the 2007 film of the same name, is the second production on the 57th season at Theatre Three. Directed by Marianne Galloway, audiences can expect an immersive, fresh take on the musical favorite in Uptown Dallas. Once runs September 13 through October 7 on the theater's Norma Young Arena Stage (2800 Routh Street #168, Dallas, TX). Tickets range from $10-50 and are on sale at Theatre Three's newly designed website (www.Theatre3Dallas.com). Tickets are also available by phone at 214.871.3300, option #1 and in-person at the Theatre Three Box Office.

Once's eight Tony Award® wins included Best Musical, winning that same honor from the New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards, Drama Desk Awards, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle Awards and Lucille Lortel Awards. Once marks the first musical of Theatre Three's 57th season.

On finding a vision to fit the Theatre Three stage, director Galloway explained "The 'bar concept' which became synonymous with the Broadway production is actually intellectual property of that production's director, John Tiffany. I went back to the original source material (the 2006 film by John Carney) and found my approach immediately: the streets of Dublin and its robust community of street performers, called 'buskers.' It became important that the experience begins the moment a patron opens their car door at the Quadrangle, where they may hear strains of a fiddle, feel the vibrations of a traditional Irish Bodhrán, or see a guitarist jamming outside the theatre. When they walk through the doors of Theatre Three, they have entered The Pub: 'O'Schmidtty and Brewer's' before moving on to the streets of Dublin on the Norma Young Arena Stage."

Featuring the Academy Award-winning song "Falling Slowly," Once has music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová and a book by Irish screenwriter Enda Walsh. Theatre Three's production is directed by the aforementioned Marianne Galloway with musical direction by Scott A. Eckert and choreography by Danielle Georgiou, PhD.

"I'm excited to share this story with our audiences because it's honest and truthful in a way not all musicals are; it gives you beauty and hope in an imperfect world," Artistic Director Jeffrey Schmidt said. "Once is the perfect musical for theatre fans, as well as people who may not be familiar with the theater, but love live music. This is the best of both worlds!"

Once is an unforgettable story about going for your dreams, not living in fear, and the power of music to connect all of us. Featuring an ensemble of actor/musicians who also play instruments onstage, the musical centers around a Dublin street musician who is about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes an interest in his haunting love songs. As their chemistry grows, his music soars to powerful new heights, and their connection deepens and becomes more complex.

Leading the company is Ian Ferguson as Guy and Cora Grace Winstead as Girl. They are joined by Matthew Cook (Billy), Willy Welch (Da), Katrina Kratzer (Ex-Girlfriend), Cory Kosel (Švec), Russell McCook (Andrej), Jo-Jo Steine (Réza), Kelly Winstead Miyake (Baruška), Dotty Rico (Ivonka), Alex Branton (Bank Manager), Jake Nice (Eamon), and Scott A. Eckert as Emcee.

Once takes the stage from September 13 - October 7, 2018, with performances on Thursdays at 7:30 PM, Fridays at 8:00 PM, Saturdays at 8:00 PM, and Sundays at 2:30 PM. A special "hooky matinee" is scheduled for Wednesday, September 26th at 2:00 PM and a single Saturday matinee on October 6th at 2:30 PM.

Tickets range from $10-50 (see pricing information below) and are on sale at Theatre3Dallas.com. Tickets are also available by phone at 214.871.3300, option #1 and in-person at the Theatre Three Box Office. $5 student tickets can be purchased at the box office 30 minutes before each show (valid student ID required).

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Schmidt

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