Review: Toronto Audiences Will Fall In Love With ONCE All Over Again

4.5 out of 5 stars

I never saw Once, now playing at The Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto, during the National Tour's engagement here last year. After attending the media opening of the all-Canadian production Sunday afternoon, I can see why a return engagement was needed. Audiences will fall in love with this show, over and over again.

Set in Dublin, the musical is based on the 2006 film of the same name and follows the story of a Guy and Girl (we never learn their names) as they quickly enter and change each other's lives. The Guy is depressed as his girlfriend had moved away to New York, while The Girl's life is in a frozen state as her husband has abandoned her and moved back to their homeland, the Czech Republic.

She teaches him the world needs his music, and he helps her find love again - even though she ends up letting it go. I'm not sure what sentiment the writers were going for, but "better to have loved and lost" seems to be a driving theme.

The production is wonderfully put together, and the flow of the story seems very organic. This is to be accredited to book writer Enda Walsh who's pacing of story is a marvelous achievement - giving it just enough drive to keep it from getting dull, but never rushing a moment. The dialogue is honest, and real. There's nothing inherently theatrical about it, and yet, it works perfectly.

The theatrics here come from the movement, choreographed by Steven Hoggett. You won't find any traditional musical theatre choreography in Once, and it's not missed. Hogget has artisanally crafted movements that are a perfect fit for the brilliant score by Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard.

All the songs from the acclaimed film have made it to the stage, including the Academy Award winning "Falling Slowly" - which is played twice. The score is now one of my favourites, and the music truly is one of the stars of this show.

The Canadian cast is impeccable, with each performer playing one or more instruments while also acting, singing, and dancing. The entire ensemble is remarkable and at times I found myself enthralled in their playing and singing - even while the leads were in the middle of a scene centre stage.

This is the kind of show that I could see myself seeing multiple times.

Ian Lake makes for a perfectly vulnerable Guy. He's completely believable as the tortured singer-songwriter/vacuum repair man - and when he sang I felt as though he had written the music, even though I knew he hadn't. He sings each word with intention and motivation - which is refreshing considering most musicals of the last decade have exposition songs where the lead sings in the style of a Shakespearean aside.

Trish Lindström commands the stage as the equally vulnerable Girl, despite her character's relaxed exterior. Her performance is subtle right until the end, and when her character finally lets love in - the entire audience feels her heartbreak when it's too late. She's able to take us on an emotional rollercoaster- from heartbroken to hopeful with just a simple facial expression; it's profound.

The entire show is set in a bar, which is magnificently designed by Bob Crowley. He won a Tony Award for his work on Once - and based on the audience reactions when they get to go and explore the set before the show and at intermission, his Tony was well deserved.

I fell in love with Once this weekend, and you'll fall in love with it too if you're seeing it for the first time, or all over again if it's a repeat visit. Once is currently on sale in Toronto through May 31st. Tickets are available online at Mirvish.com.

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