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exactly two songs. Sam may have traded the shabby
tiles of the subway platform for the hardwood of
the theatre stage, but his near
eviction from his apartment,
seven-month stint on a cruise-
liner and wayward time
spent on the Vegas Strip have
morphed him into the perfect
Guy. He just didn't know it.
at story is what makes
"ONCE" different. A
Broadway musical so rooted in
its geographical setting that it
is nearly impossible to separate the story from the
city or the story from the actors. Dublin is a blend
of old world and new, a unique combination of
cultures and European nightlife that has fostered
buskers on its streets for centuries—Glen Hansard
among them. "ONCE" encapsulates this hard-
to-name feeling, transcending the story of John
Carney's 2007 low-budget film that featured the
visceral tunes of its Irish singer-songwriter star who
floated barely below the radar of mainstream. Glen
Hansard and Markéta Irglová's
Oscar-winning performance of
"Falling Slowly" stole hearts. One
Academy Award®, a Grammy® and
eight Tonys® later, "ONCE" the
musical is still affecting people—
breaking down the barriers
between actor and audience in the
best way.
Sam sees the parallels between
his rough road to "ONCE" and
the story of Guy. "You can plan
all you want," he says, "but success usually comes
out of an odd array of circumstances. And you just
have to say 'okay.'" After all, "ONCE" is all about
eliminating excuses and taking chances—and a
story of Guy-Meets-Girl, of course.
Glen Hansard may be a hard act to follow, but Sam
wouldn't trade it for gold.
"'ONCE' the musical
is still affecting
people—breaking
down
the barriers
between actor
and audience in
the best way."
S E E O N C E O N F E B R UA R Y 18-19 I N D E L L H A L L.
