John Lyden

Review of Arden Theatre Company

My wife and I saw Once on Broadway for our 10th da...

My wife and I saw Once on Broadway for our 10th dating anniversary several years ago, and when the chance to see it at the Arden came up for our 12th wedding anniversary this year, we jumped at it. We were not disappointed.

Once is a show that thrives on being in the scene, where you're transported to a bar in Dublin, a music shop, an apartment...and a Hoover shop. The setting in the round was more effective than the production was on Broadway. You're there, and in the middle of it, and the entire soundscape surrounds you.
The cast was top-notch. In a show like Once, where everybody is playing their own instruments the entire time, you need a level of dedication a cut above your usual musical: you can't relax if your downtime is also playing during the show! Musicality, both instrumental and vocal, was amazing. The a capella reprise of Gold was stunning, with the cast surrounding the audience on catwalks.

We loved it more than the original production on Broadway. We're thrilled with the production and the Arden. We'll be back.