Once
Last weekend, I saw the musical Once at the Darlinghurst Theatre.
It's based on the acclaimed movie with Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, about two struggling musicians in Dublin whose paths cross by chance, and the handful of days in which they change each other's lives. The gorgeous "Falling Slowly" won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
In this production, the unnamed Guy and the unnamed Girl are played by Toby Francis and Stefanie Caccamo. They were both excellent, but Stefanie really shone with her portrayal - forthright, fearless and steadfast - whereas Toby was more the straight man to her character.
The musical expanded the roles of the secondary characters, and fleshed out their personalities and subplots. (It also featured Cameron Daddo as the Guy's Da.) What was really cool was the actors were all musicians too, and not only sang and danced but played their own instruments. (There was also a rollerblading violinist! I was very impressed.)
It's weird - I have so many favourite musicals that Once wouldn't even crack the top ten, but this was one of the best productions of a musical I've ever seen. It was an incredible emotional journey, full of humour, poignancy, and hope. But more than that, it was like it perfectly captured the essence of Once. It got a standing ovation. It really felt like we were part of something magical.
Crossposted from Dreamwidth, where there are
comments. Comment here or there.
It's based on the acclaimed movie with Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, about two struggling musicians in Dublin whose paths cross by chance, and the handful of days in which they change each other's lives. The gorgeous "Falling Slowly" won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
In this production, the unnamed Guy and the unnamed Girl are played by Toby Francis and Stefanie Caccamo. They were both excellent, but Stefanie really shone with her portrayal - forthright, fearless and steadfast - whereas Toby was more the straight man to her character.
The musical expanded the roles of the secondary characters, and fleshed out their personalities and subplots. (It also featured Cameron Daddo as the Guy's Da.) What was really cool was the actors were all musicians too, and not only sang and danced but played their own instruments. (There was also a rollerblading violinist! I was very impressed.)
It's weird - I have so many favourite musicals that Once wouldn't even crack the top ten, but this was one of the best productions of a musical I've ever seen. It was an incredible emotional journey, full of humour, poignancy, and hope. But more than that, it was like it perfectly captured the essence of Once. It got a standing ovation. It really felt like we were part of something magical.
Crossposted from Dreamwidth, where there are
comments. Comment here or there.