THE BROADWAY VERSION of the acclaimed Irish film Once has received rave reviews from the critics. The small budget movie, which has been adapted for the stage, was a huge success with song ‘Falling Slowly’, written by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, winning an Oscar.

Now the musical, adapted for the New York stage, is receiving the same warm welcome.  A New York Post critic says that the show “wins its standing ovations the old-fashioned way: with a love story, great songs, compelling characters and inventive stagecraft,” while The New York Times says the production “uses song and dance in a way I’ve never experienced in an American musical”.

The musical tells the story about an Irish busker and Czech immigrant who share a love for music.  Shot in just three weeks, boxofficemojo.com reports that the movie ended up pulling in $20 million worldwide. Now it seems the musical may receive the same success. The stage adaptation, which had its premiere on Sunday night, is directed by British director John Tiffany and choreographed by Steven Hoggett, who created the acclaimed Scottish theatre piece Black Watch. Several new songs have been added by Irglova and Hansard.

According to Reuters, when asked about possible Tony Award nominations Tiffany joked, “we don’t talk about that”, but he said, “I am so proud I have made the piece of work I wanted to make because you can’t always say that”.

Clip of the hit Broadway show Once -

(via newyorktheatreworkshop79/Youtube)