Theatre Review: “Once” Musical at Chance Theater

The play with music, “Once” arrives at the Chance Theater in Anaheim to serenade your soul and brighten up the sky. Based on the Academy Award winning 2007 movie written and directed by John Carney. Winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Book in 2012. Winner of the 2013 Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. Less than the typical expectations of musicals where actors spontaneously slip into song and dance to advance the story and characters forward.

ore of a dramatic play with actors performing songs just as you would find in the real world. Characters are singing in the street for tips, at a live mic nite, reading from a music sheet, listening and playing in the bedroom, putting words to music to make a song, auditioning for roles, playing at a recording studio, and more. The incredible line up of actors not only challenged to speak in dialects of Irish and Czech, but also playing live folk rock style musical instruments on stage.

In the city of Dublin, Irish busker Guy (Morgan Hollingsworth) is pulled back into the world of music by Czech immigrant Girl (Emma Laird). Guy and Girl share a bond over their love of music. Guy feels down on his luck while working for his father (Lex Leigh) as a vacuum cleaner repairman. Girl is confident Guy’s new song “Falling Slowly” will win back the affections of his Ex-girlfriend (Leota Rhodes) who ended their relationship and moved to New York City. Girl lives with her mother, Baruska (Jennifer Richardson) and daughter, Ivanka (Amy Sorensen/Becca Last).

Girl’s rough marriage prevents her from pursuing a deeper connection with Guy. With the aid of a bank manager (Mike Bradecich) and Girl’s friends like music shop owner, Billy (Will Huse), they write and record music to create an album.

The impeccable caliber of multi-talented performers is an incredible display of the versatility and passion brought to the intimate stage. Raw vocals, pure depth, authentic to the core, emotional acoustics, and stirring a capella.  Incredibly phenomenal from start to finish. Actors perform center stage and visibly to the side with instruments ranging from guitar, piano, bass, Cajon, violin, cello, harmonica, mandolin, accordion, ukelele, and drums.

This production handles the speaking and singing of the Czech language in a fascinating method. I’ve only seen projected subtitles used in one other show of “Kim’s Convenience”. Some scenes are written to be spoken in Czech. But Czech instead is projected on the walls above the characters as the actors continue to speak in English. Fortunately this is quickly understood what is spoken and heard in the context of the story. A clever and powerful use of video projections like the rest of the show that enhances rather than diminish the experience.

Unbeatable journey through the power of music. Remarkable experience of story with music rather than a musical story. Listening to “Falling Slowly” for the first time was a real special treat. An earworm I will have no trouble listening on repeat. For those already familiar, the live rendition is beautifully unmatched. The “Shallow” to “A Star Is Born” (2018).

Along with a world-class team working behind the scenes with direction, scenic design, dialect, lighting, sound, and more, the Chance Theater proves itself again as a stellar gem in the Orange County theater community when it comes to meaingful and provocative stage productions. A profound follow-up to last year’s “Spring Awakening”. Be sure to arrive 25 minutes before showtime with a drink in hand as the engaging actors perform an infectiously energetic and interactive pre-show you won’t want to miss.

“Once” is playing at the Chance Theater in Anaheim beginning January 23 until March 2, 2026. Book by Enda Walsh. Music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. Directed and choreographed by James Michael McHale. Music directed by Lex Leigh. For more information including ticket sales, visit www.chancetheater.com

- Advertisement -