Susan Granger’s review of “Once” (Bernard B. Jacobs Theater: 2011-2012 season)
“Once” began as a charming, low-budget, independent movie (2006), made in Dublin, about a down-on-his-luck Irish busker who falls in love with a classical pianist from Czechoslovakia. It was a humble hit at Sundance and with art-house audiences. Its stars, Glen Hansard of the Irish rock band the Frames and Marketa Irglova, became a real-life couple as their song “Falling Slowly” won an Oscar in 2008. Astutely sensing the theatrical possibilities, producers staged it first at a Cambridge, Mass., repertory theater, then as modest Off-Broadway musical before moving it onto the Great White Way.
The simple love story with evocative music remains the same. Steve Kazee plays The Guy and Cristin Milioti plays The Girl. He repairs vacuum cleaners in his father’s shop but the love of his life has moved to New York, so he’s ready to give up the guitar. Estranged from her husband, she lives with her mother and young daughter. She’s tart; he’s tender. They meet – and, suddenly, their lives become enriched with possibilities.
Artfully adapted by playwright Enda Walsh, who wrote the IRA film “Hunger,” with music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, it’s directed by John Tiffany with stylized choreography by Steven Hoggett and music supervision/orchestrations by Martin Lowe, as traditional Irish tunes are integrated into the score and some of the actors play their own instruments. Bob Crowley‘s set is designed as a rustic, wood-and-mirrored pub, where audience members can order a $13 pint before the show or at intermission. While there’s plenty of booze and foot-stompin’ music, there’s very little magic.
Since critics get complimentary press tickets to Broadway shows, this doesn’t often happen to us. But for “Once,” I was seated behind two huge, broad-shouldered men and, literally, could not see center-stage, no matter how I twisted and turned. I’m relating this only because – when you buy costly theater tickets – you should find out if the seats are raked and/or tiered. That’s not the case in the back of the orchestra at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater on West 45th Street in Manhattan. Ticket buyer beware!
Did not being able to see affect my review? Of course. And if that happens to you, you’ll be tempted to want your money back.