Once

A NY Theater Workshop presentation of a musical in two acts with music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova; book by Enda Walsh, based on the motion picture written and directed by John Carney. Directed by John Tiffany, movement by Steven Hoggett.Guy - Steve Kazee Girl - Cristin Milioti Eamon - David Abeles Ivonka - Claire Candela Andrej - Will Connolly Reza - Elizabeth A. Davis Da - David Patrick Kelly Baruska - Anne L. Nathan Svec - Lucas Papaelias Bank Manager - Andy Taylor Ex-Girlfriend - Erikka Walsh Billy - Paul Whitty Emcee - J. Michael ZygoOnce is not enough: "Once" is that rare kind of musical which theater lovers will want to see again. The 2007 independent film from Ireland -- made for about $150,000, with a worldwide gross of $20 million -- has been creatively expanded and adapted for the stage, and it works out impeccably. Songwriters Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (who starred together in the movie) have joined playwright Enda Walsh and the "Black Watch" team of director John Tiffany and choreographer Steven Hoggett to create a rhapsodic, unique stage musical. Machinations for a quick Broadway transfer are underway, with strong prospects. Bittersweet love story tells of an unnamed guy (Steve Kazee) and girl (Cristin Milioti) who over the course of a week meet and make beautiful music together -- and that music proves more beautiful than much of what you hear uptown on the Rialto. Song "Falling Slowly" is already well known, having won the pair an Oscar, but many of the tunes equal it, including "If You Want Me" and "The Hill." "Once" is unusual, for sure: There's no orchestra. The actors themselves play instruments throughout, not as a directorial stunt but as an intrinsic part of the storytelling. This means as many as eight guitars playing together, which -- mixed with violin, viola and voice -- proves surprisingly effective. Eight of the thirteen film songs are retained, with a few additions. Playwright Walsh, for his part, is true to John Carney's screenplay but has expanded some subsidiary roles into full characters. Walsh ("Misterman") has also added humor; "Once," for all its moody romancing and atmospheric color, is very funny. Tiffany grabs the aud from the opening, when the story springs from a pre-show jam session. Hoggett ("American Idiot"), meanwhile, provides arresting movement for his non-dancers. In the first act finale, the musicians grow so engrossed that they are magnetically drawn from their chairs, dancing in formation while still playing -- even the cellist. (This same song, "Gold," is later reprised a cappella.) Orchestrator/music supervisor Martin Lowe deserves credit for translating the songs to the stage; the methods and results are key to the overall success. There is also a Broadway-caliber physical production from vets Bob Crowley ("The Coast of Utopia") and Natasha Katz ("Follies"). Crowley has designed a massive Dublin barroom, which also serves as a liquor bar before the show and at intermission. The walls are crammed with fifty-nine frosted mirrors, which the designers selectively use to reflect the action. Crowley's costumes for Dublin poor and Czech immigrants are just right, while Katz's touches include a dazzling nightscape with some fiber optic sleight-of-hand. Two leads are exceptional. Kazee ("110 in the Shade") makes a fine leading man, likable and attractive but conveying the character's inner anguish when he sings. Milioti is also perfect as the straightforward and blunt heroine; she plays the part so well you wonder whether she is indeed a Czech import. (She's from New Jersey.) Both excel as musicians as well. Paul Whitty, Andy Taylor and David Patrick Kelly stand out among the excellent ensemble, along with Elizabeth A. Davis for both her acting and her viola skills. Lest one wonder how this intimate affair would translate for Broadway, it's worth noting the show has a large cast of thirteen, twelve very-much-in-evidence musicians and a full-sized physical production that seems too wide for some smaller uptown houses. Still, it's the tender love story and the soaring songs that make "Once" a winner.Sets and costumes, Bob Crowley; lights, Natasha Katz; sound, Clive Goodwin; music supervision/orchestrations, Martin Lowe; production stage manager, Bess Marie Glorioso. Opened Dec. 6, 2011, reviewed Dec. 1. Runs through Jan. 15. Running time: 2 HOURS, 20 MINS. Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com