ONCE To Open Citadel Season

The hit song from Once may be called Falling Slowly but audiences are sure to fall quickly in love with this romantic musical! Kicking off the Citadel's 2018/19 Season, Once is a fun, energetic story about an Irish musician who is on the brink of giving up until a young Czech woman takes an interest in his love songs.

Based on the award-winning film of the same name by John Carney, Once is an unforgettable story about going for your dreams and the power of music to connect us all. Winner of eight Tony awards, including Best Book and Best Musical, the musical premiered at New York Theatre Workshop in 2011 and moved to Broadway in 2012. Earning rave reviews, the show also earned a 2012 Drama Desk Award for Best Musical and a 2013 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. With a book written by Enda Walsh and music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, the cast of Once also acts as the orchestra, bringing their musical talents to life on stage.

The cast features Lawrence Libor as Guy, and Emily Dallas as Girl, as well as Citadel favourites Julien Arnold as Da, Oscar Derkx as Andrej, and John Ullyatt as Eamon. The production is directed by Ann Hodges, with music direction by Steven Greenfield, choreography by Julie Tomaino, set and costume design by Cory Sincennes, lighting design by Louise Guinand, and sound design by Matthew Skopyk.

Patrons will experience an authentic Irish pub atmosphere, as the lobby of the Shoctor Theatre will be transformed into a Dublin streetscape, complete with a bar and street signs. There will also be up-and-coming buskers performing live music before each performance. And, audience members will be allowed to take their drinks on stage and mingle with the cast before the performance begins - this marks the first time that beverages will be allowed inside the Shoctor Theatre. It's truly an experience not to be missed!

Once runs September 22 to October 14, 2018, at Citadel Theatre.