A songwriter pens words aching to be sung to someone who will understand them. A listener puts on a record hoping to hear words they resonate with. Somewhere in the ether, songwriter and listener are connected.
It’s that songwriter who starts Once, now playing at the Denver Center for Performing Arts through May 29. As he busks on a random street corner, the songwriter, known only as “Guy” to the audience, catches the attention of “Girl,” who is deeply moved by what she hears. The couple strike up a friendship, complicated because of their own romantic situations, but seemingly simple like a beautiful song. The two, with their friends, embark on a journey to be heard by the world.
Once may appear as straightforward as the classic “boy meets girl — will they or won’t they” trope, but it’s much more than that. It’s about the agony of bad timing, about choosing shoulds instead of wants, about circumstances out of your control, the desperation for things to be different, and the pain of knowing they can’t be.
The musical, based on the 2007 independent gem of a film with the same name, opened on Broadway in 2012 and was nominated for 11 Tonys, taking home eight, including best musical. It’s the kind of adaptation that easily could’ve failed in its translation from screen to stage, but miraculously the musical manages to maintain the integrity of the film while utilizing the magic of a theater production.
All of the tenants that made the film great are amplified in the theater. The music is played on stage by the cast, energetically at times as they dance around with their instruments, frequently swapping with each other. Other times the sounds gently fill the theater as the musicians play almost unnoticed from the sides of the stage. Each member of the cast is talented and memorable, no matter how small their role. The production features an intricate set design of mirrors, complemented by emotional lighting choices; creating moments on stage so precious they feel like vintage snapshots found in a shoebox tucked in your grandmother’s closet.
Most importantly, the intimacy the film offers is deepened on stage. Even in a giant theater like the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Once plays like a personal performance to each individual audience member. A knowing look, a whispered response, the twitch of a hand reaching out for another — all of the finer details are there, thankfully not replaced by big gestures that play for the back rows.
Once blurs the line between the audience and the performers, starting even before the formal beginning of the show. Upon entering the theater, the cast is already sing and dancing on stage as the audience members file in looking for their seats. Slowly the cast members exit, Guy begins to strum and the lights dim to start the show. And the audience is further invited into the story during intermission when they’re welcomed to grab a drink at the bar on stage. The show breaks down the fourth wall, allowing the audience to engage in the journey of theses two people.
Once is a love letter to those who hope. Regardless of will they or won’t they, the story tells us not to let fear win. No matter what, if life knocks you down, you’ll survive.
The story lives in a moment — that moment you tell someone you love them and the words hang in the air waiting to be answered. And Once explores all the intricacies of that moment — the longing, the fear, the passion, the hope, the urgency — one at a time, and all at once. It’s the kind of show that reminds us of why are songs are written, to tell us we’re not alone on this desolate planet.
As the finale harkens back to the start of the show, you reflect on the journey you’ve been on in the past two and a half hours. The importance of the line in the show when Girl says to Guy, “These songs — they must be sung” settles in. You leave the theater with gratitude for the show and for the songwriters who sing the words you need to hear.
On the Bill: Once. Denver Performing Arts Complex, 1345 Champa St., Denver, 720-865-4239. Through May 29.
