Hi everyone! Now that I have started this new site for my theatre reviews I am going to introduce a new approach to my reviews. For the shows I am not covering for UTBA I am going to try and post quick journal or log type responses the day after the show. This will go hand in hand with my reaction videos made on instagram at intermission (where possible) and directly following the production. As these logs are more reactions than reviews, I do not feel the need to comment on every technical aspect of a production- just will note what stands out to me. With the amount of shows I see this is the approach makes the most sense and will be most enjoyable for the readers. So let’s get to it!

Once

First up for May is the new production of Once at Hale Centre Theater Orem. This is based on the beloved film by John Carney that won an Oscar for the song “Falling Slowly.” Like the film, music and lyrics here are written by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. Another review I read said they cleaned up the lyrics (I assume with permission) for the Hale production (which I believe because the movie has a lot of cursing) but there is still a little bit of profanity including the F word in a song.

I was fortunate to see the TThS cast for Once and they are all outstanding, not only singing the folksy/rock numbers very well but playing their own instruments on stage. It is so refreshing to have live music at HCTO as they usually stick to backtracks, and I will always prefer live music over backtracks. Kristian Huff and Malia Mackay have terrific chemistry as the leads (simply named Guy and Girl) and I enjoyed following their journey; although, I do feel her character is written more “manic pixie dream girl” than I remember in the movie. It’s like she exists solely to brighten up the world of the men she meets and doesn’t get much of her own goals and motivation.

I do think Once has a problem in having “Falling Slowly” placed as the second song and then none of the proceeding songs can quite live up to its greatness. I haven’t seen the movie in a while but in my memory they build up to that song and it is later in the narrative. The proceeding songs aren’t bad just not on the level of “Falling Slowly.” It didn’t win an Oscar for nothing. Also, while fun, none of the supporting characters are given much to do and are fairly forgettable.

That said, I had a great time watching Once at Hale Orem. They elevated the material with wonderful singing and instrumentals including a very talented violinist Libby Ferguson. It’s worth going just to hear her play.

Once is playing through June 3rd and you can pick up tickets here.

If you like what I do please consider supporting me on patreon. There’s some great perks and I sure appreciate it https://www.patreon.com/hallmarkies