Guy meets Girl.
It’s a story we’ve heard a thousand times—and yet it never seems to get old, does it? Once is the story of a down-on-his-luck Irish busker known to the audience only as Guy, and an exuberant young Czech musician known as Girl. They meet one day in a Dublin bar, where Guy tries to sing away his recent heartbreak. Girl is drawn to his music, and together they hatch a plan to win back the woman Guy loves.
Based on the 2007 movie of the same name, Once is a Broadway smash hit now in a limited run in Toronto. It won eight Tony Awards in 2012 including Best Musical and Best Actor. Touted as “a new musical”, it really is a musical for modern music fans. Full of folksy numbers—both Irish and Czech—the music of Once is vibrant and heartfelt, and just a little bit twee. The musical numbers, the characters and the colours of the show have all been amplified from their original forms. Where the movie (an indie project with a modest budget) stays quiet and contemplative, the stage show explores its themes of artistry and unrequited love with humour and flair.
If you haven’t gotten a chance to see the play, we can offer you the next best thing: the soundtrack! Check it out at your local Vaughan Public Library. If you’re a fan of Mumford and Sons, Of Monsters and Men, Ben Howard and the like, I recommend this soundtrack. VPL also carries copies of the original movie, as well as music by The Swell Season, the musical group formed by the movie’s original actors.
Did you see the play Alyssia? My little cousin plays the role of Ivanka’s daughter!
I did, Daniela! Every time she was onstage the audience lost it, she is so cute!
It’s such a sweet story. And the music is great – haunting at times!