Theatre Review: ONCE holds you tight and doesn’t let go.

You know those cozy do nothing kind of Sunday afternoons? When you feel like staying in your pajamas curled up with a cup of hot chocolate sitting by the fireplace and blissfully enjoy an afternoon of having nothing planned. No schedule. No hurrying… just to be calm listening to music that soothes your soul. That feeling of just enjoying the moment you’re in?

That’s the exact feeling that embraced me at the opening night of ONCE, the latest musical to hit Toronto.

ONCE is the winner of eight Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL based on the film, and it’s truly magical in the purest form of music. No pomp and pageantry in this production — only the true, raw talent of the actors on stage.

ONCE is the tale of a street musician in Dublin, Ireland who has little ambition but full of talent. Guy (Stuart Ward) has a heart full of love songs written about a girl who’s moved to New York. Not being too hopeful that he would see her again, Guy keeps these songs to himself until he meets a young Czech woman.

Girl (Dani de Waal) is the sassy Czech who, herself, is a pianist and encourages Guy after discovering his music and his good looks. With much flirting their chemistry grows and the music fills with life.

It’s a beautiful love story. When the two leads sang, there was not a movement nor a whisper from the audience. It was as thought we were collectively holding our breathes. The musical features a fantastic cast of actor/musicians who play their own instruments with emotionally charged choreography.

ONCE gave me that feeling of falling in love all over again. It holds you tight and doesn’t let go. It’s a perfect date night ticket for any couple.

ONCE is now playing until January 5, 2014  at the Royal Alexandra Theatre (Toronto). For more information and tickets visit www.mirvish.com

Here’s a preview from ONCE: The Smash-Hit Broadway Musical

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL-022UxNPc#t=26