ONCE

Palace Theatre
November 12-November 24, 2013

216-241-6000 or www.playhousesquare.org

Bob Abelman

What makes “Once” more than just another romantic tale of despondency and unrequited love is the charming way the story is told and the unparalleled quality of the storytellers. This is not your grandfather's musical, though your grandfather would surely love this enchanting production. 

To see a full review of this show, read Bob Abelman's News-Herald article here:


Roy Berko

The touring production of ONCE is well staged, has strong musical appeal, but fails to grab and hold as it should.   It  is an intimate musical which loses much of its charm due to the vast Palace stage and auditorium size.  Here’s a case of the right show in the wrong setting.
 
To see a full review of this show, read Roy Berko's blog here.


Kerry Clawson

At the surface, ONCE may seem like a quiet little musical. But in this tale -- set in Dublin -- the characters’ passion for music, life and love speaks loudly.

This gem of a show, playing at PlayhouseSquare’s Palace Theatre through Nov. 24, creates both a sense of genuine intimacy and exhilarating music-making as the 12 adult cast members act, sing and play instruments including guitar, piano, mandolin, banjo, cello, violin, accordion and more.

To see a full review of this show, read Kerry Clawson's review here.

Fran Heller

"Once" is like no other musical you've experienced before.
A small musical with a gigantic heart, "Once" will captivate you with its haunting songs, unusual love story and earthy naturalism.
In an age of overly lavish mega-musicals, this intimate no-frills show is a refreshing change.

To see a full review of this show, read Fran Heller's review at the Cleveland Jewish News

Mark Horning

“Once” playing at the Palace Theatre has a great cast with a lot of talent but is the wrong show for the venue.  It would have been a better fit in the more intimate Ohio Theatre with more play dates added.  This is not the best theater value this year by a long shot.  When you order your tickets go for the Main Floor and no farther back than twenty or thirty rows.  Anything further will be a disappointment.

To see a full review of this show, read Mark Horning's blog.


Christine Howey
The Irish music and lyrics by the film's original on-screen stars, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, are just flat-out lovely. And even though the book by Enda Walsh balances some sharp and witty lines with an equal number of predictable clunkers, the wispy story remains just innocent enough to pass muster.

To see a full review of this show, read Christine Howey's review at  Cleveland Scene

Andrea Simakis

On Broadway, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, those songs began as a whisper and grew in volume until you could feel the music thrumming through your body and the hairs on the back of your neck rise. 

The Palace is twice as big as the Jacobs, and – despite the best efforts of the original production crew, from visionary director John Tiffany to exacting orchestrator Martin Lowe, to help translate the quiet power of “Once” into bigger houses on the road – there is a dissipation and thinning out of that glorious sound.

To see a full review of this show, read Andrea Simakis' blog or visit Cleveland.com here.

Art Thomas

The passion that drives "Once" is forceful enough to wash over the thousands of audience at The Palace Theater. Musicians first, the twelve members of the cast are a dynamic presence to tell the story of the romance between musicians, one Czech one Irish, set in the world's largest pub. 

Click here to read the complete review at WestLife