After taking home eight Tony Award, including Best Musical in 2012, on Thursday night, “Once” finally made its way to the West Coast. Adapted from John Carney's 2006 film, “Once” strips away the sequins, glitter, and show stopping choreography that define many a modern musical. 

John Tiffany directs the cast of disgruntled Irishmen and Czech immigrants who form the backdrop for this accidental love story. While the characters are people we recognize—a disgruntled musician (Stuart Ward) and the manic pixie dream girl who comes to his rescue (Dani de Waal)—there’s something refreshing about seeing this story move beyond the constraints of the indie screen and on to the stage.

Largely set in a Dublin bar, curved walls and resplendent mirrors help focus the audience’s gaze on the actors as they go from boisterous merrymaking to moments of parental tenderness. 

The musical-esque choreography awkwardly breaks from the realism of the musical as a whole, but luckily there isn’t much of it. In place of high kicks and pirouettes, “Once” delights audiences with Ward’s passionate crooning and Waal’s delightful piano melodies. Without an orchestra to rely on, the actors perform all of the music themselves. 

This musical offers a non-traditional set of values and unique brans of unrefined emotionalist that are often limited to smaller off-Broadway performances. It makes audience wonder if ending up together is really all that falling in love is about. 

“Once” is playing at the Pantages Theatre (6233 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles) through August 10. Tickets are $50-$200. For more information, visit oncemusical.com.

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