{"id":779,"date":"2023-06-07T01:27:34","date_gmt":"2023-06-07T01:27:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stageraw.com\/remake\/?p=779"},"modified":"2023-06-12T00:38:05","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T00:38:05","slug":"once","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stageraw.com\/remake\/once\/","title":{"rendered":"Once"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Once<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Reviewed by Socks Whitmore<\/strong>
\nLaguna Playhouse<\/em><\/strong>
\nThrough March 26<\/strong><\/p>\n

RECOMMENDED<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In Dublin, a struggling Irish musician bumps into a young Czech woman and his life changes forever. This is the premise of the 2007 musical film\u00a0Once<\/em>, and likewise the stage musical of the same name, both featuring songs by Glen Hansard and Mark\u00e9ta Irglov\u00e1 (including the infamous \u201cFalling Slowly\u201d), with the musical\u2019s book by Enda Walsh. Billed as the only show to have music that has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Olivier Award, and a Tony Award,\u00a0Once: The Musical<\/em>\u00a0has brought its cultural potluck to the Laguna Playhouse stage. The show sports an ensemble of actor-musicians, a rich array of musical styles, and a simple onstage bar that carries on a unique\u00a0Once<\/em>\u00a0tradition: opening during intermission for drink sales to the audience. Before the show begins, the cast does a charming set of carefree traditional folk songs, pulling triple duty effortlessly by singing, playing, and dancing with gusto.<\/p>\n

The story of\u00a0Once<\/em>\u00a0starts with your usual \u201cguy meets girl,\u201d centering on two characters referred to as only \u201cGuy\u201d (Keaton Eckhoff) and \u201cGirl\u201d (Grace Belt). After a chance meeting while Guy is busking, lovelorn and ready to quit music, Girl insists that he can\u2019t give up his artistry and he should follow his ex-girlfriend to New York to be with her. She suggests recording his songs as a way to win his ex back, and proceeds to lead him on a \u201cmusical odyssey\u201d to gather a band and pay for a studio session. The attraction between the two is palpable throughout, but Girl continually pushes Guy away, telling him to chase his dreams instead \u2014 the nuanced romance comes with twists and turns, perhaps destined from the start for bittersweetness.<\/p>\n

The shift from the high energy of the pre-show set to a sleepy opening scene is done unexpectedly quickly, slightly jolting as it flips from upbeat dance numbers to a raw, passionate vocal introduction from Eckhoff\u2019s solo number, \u201cLeave.\u201d As quickly as audiences are plunged into the story, they are introduced to Belt\u2019s lovable Stargirl-like character with sharp comedic timing. Humor abounds in even the music, which includes a small sprinkling of musical jokes and winks. The violinists (Julia Hoffman and Lauren Witman) are especially full of personality and flair. A nod should also be given to William Gibbons-Brown\u2019s smart lighting design, from patterned shadows projected on the ground to the use of hanging fixtures as stars above the set\u2019s secret rooftop.<\/p>\n

The gorgeous orchestrations offer not just Irish sounds, but Czech, Spanish, and even a capella choral moments with instruments in hand, supported by well-choreographed musical interludes and sometimes haunting harmonies. The visual storytelling is at times quite striking; in the scene where Guy and Girl approach a banker for a loan, the supporting ensemble stands on and dances around chairs, echoing the lyrics of \u201cSay It To Me Now\u201d within their intelligently directed movements.<\/p>\n

In some ways,\u00a0Once<\/em>\u00a0is more concert than musical, using songs not to advance the plot but to be immersed in the moment with the characters and the messy, beautiful lives they\u2019re trying to make. Fans of the film will not be disappointed \u2014 the Laguna Playhouse realization of\u00a0Once: The Musical<\/em>\u00a0brings the story to life with vibrance and grace.<\/p>\n

Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach; Wed.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1 p.m. & 5:30 p.m.; through Mar. 26.\u00a0https:\/\/lagunaplayhouse.com\/2022-2023-mainstage\/once\/<\/a>Running time: two hours and 15 minutes, with one intermission.<\/em><\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”902″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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