When I think of PlayhouseSquare’s Palace Theatre, I smile at memories of epic productions. Impressive theatricality along the lines of Wicked, Les Miserables, and this Fall’s Sleeping Beauty. BROADWAY in full capital letters.

That’s why I was curious to see ONCE at PlayhouseSquare. Based on the Oscar-winning indie film of the same name, it tells a very intimate story between a Guy and a Girl in Ireland. No elaborate costumes, set changes, or special effects, not even character names. Just storytelling, poetry, and music.

I wondered how a quiet story like this would play in a commanding setting like the Palace. However, when I attended the 2013-2014 Broadway in CLE preview, ONCE’s music got its hooks in me. It’s why I may have definitely jumped out of my seat at work when I was invited to attend the show’s media night on Tuesday.

ONCE is at the Palace Theatre through Nov. 24. All images and video courtesy of PlayhouseSquare.

As Scott and I walked into the Palace about 15 minutes before curtain, we saw that the party had already started onstage and was spilling into the orchestra section. An Irish pub had taken over as a group of musicians traded tunes and stories. The sounds of an accordion, violins, and guitars wafted through the rows. And audience members waited in line to go up onstage and enjoy a pint.

This preshow vibe was much different than the quiet hum of other shows – more energetic and lively. Any questions I had about how the show would fill the space were answered – they’d fill it with songs.

As the audience returned to their seats at show time, the band kept playing and we heard a wistful poem from an older musician about long-ago love. Then a young musician stepped up to share his story – an angry, powerful song about a breakup.

The house and stage lights dimmed as he sung. Only a spotlight remained on this Guy and the Girl who approached the stage from the aisles, drawn – as the rest of the audience was – by his music.

ONCE at PlayhouseSquare: Guy meets Girl over music

ONCE tells the story of an Irish musician, who – after the death of his mother and his ex-girlfriend’s move to New York – is about to give up on his dream of escaping Dublin’s streets. But he meets a Girl, a charming young Czech immigrant, who is instantly taken by his love songs.

Over the course of a few short days, a complicated romance flowers between the Guy and the Girl. She shows him how to not live in fear of failure, how to move forward with his music and life.

ONCE originated as a film in 2007, starring Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová who also wrote all of the music. It was shot in only 17 days for $150,000 and went on to gross $20M and win the 2007 Academy Award for Best Original song.

After the film’s success, ONCE was brought to Broadway where it won 8 Tony Awards

After such a positive reaction by audiences and critics, ONCE was brought to Broadway in 2012 where it won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and is still onstage at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

After seeing it, I understand this success. Stripping away elaborate sets, costumes and snappy choreography (though there is some dancing) allows the show’s simple story and haunting music to shine beautifully. It stands on its own and doesn’t need to be dressed up.

The result was a very personal, emotional experience. I liked that it’s not a story about finding the love of your life, but the romance of romance and what it feels to be spellbound by a person even if only for a few days.

Through its songs and talented cast of actor-musicians, ONCE captures what it’s like to find fleeting love

Just as much as it made me think of Scott, it also brought me back to every short romance and that warm feeling of connecting with someone.

The production’s music and talented cast were the reason for this enchantment. In addition to the Guy and the Girl on guitar and piano, every actor in the ensemble played an instrument and doubled as the musical’s band.

The way each scene came together and fluidly weaved in and out of songs felt like I wasn’t in the Palace watching a musical with thousands of other people, but sitting in a hole-in-the-wall pub in Ireland listening to a private concert. It’s been ten years since I visited Ireland and had to fight the urge to hop on a plane and return.

Fortunately, you don’t need to pack your bags – you can be transported for much less by getting a ticket to one of ONCE’s remaining performances.

Tickets for ONCE start at $10 at playhousesquare.org, 216-241-6000 or the PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office

The show is at PlayhouseSquare through November 24. Tickets start at $10 and are on sale at playhousesquare.org, 216-241-6000 or the PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office. Performance times are Tuesday through Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 1:30 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sunday at 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm.

Disclosure: I was invited to attend ONCE’s media night with a guest in exchange for blogging about my experience. Opinions are 100% my own.

Enter to win tickets to an exclusive PlayhouseSquare Broadway Launch Party and PlayhouseSquare giftcard!

A couple weeks ago, the Book of Mormon-craze hit Cleveland when tickets went on sale for their PlayhouseSquare stop. I know when I went to buy mine, it took some time to find 2 good seats together.

The popular Trey Parker-Matt Stone musical is just one of 7 Broadway shows PlayhouseSquare has brought to Cleveland this season.

From the magical Beauty and the Beast to the quirky Priscilla Queen of the Desert, PlayhouseSquare’s KeyBank Broadway series has had something for every taste.

And with Sister Act, War Horse, Guys and Dolls, and Book of Mormon still ahead, it’s hard to imagine what PlayhouseSquare has up their sleeve for next season.

Upcoming Shows in PlayhouseSquare’s 2012-2013 Broadway Series

Good news: We’re going to find out soon.

Even better news: I’m giving away 2 pairs of tickets to the invitation-only PlayhouseSquare Broadway Launch so that you can be there when next season’s shows are announced!

On Tuesday, March 19 at 7pm, PlayhouseSquare’s Senior VP of Theater Operations Gina Vernaci will unveil the 2013-2014 Broadway Series.

Scott and I had a great time at last year’s PlayhouseSquare Broadway Launch, which featured a Q&A and performance from Anything Goes star Rachel York.

In addition to giving away 4 invites to this year’s exclusive launch announcement, I’m throwing in a $10 PlayhouseSquare gift card for each winner to use towards a future show.

There are 4 Easy Ways to Enter the Giveaway!
Leave a separate comment on this post for each entry.

1) What’s your favorite Broadway show? For one entry, leave a comment on this post sharing your favorite musical or play from the Great White Way.

2) Follow @ADHicken and @PlayhouseSquare on Twitter and leave one comment here letting me know you did.

3) If you’re a fan of Clue Into Cleveland on Facebook, leave a comment on this blog post letting me know. If you’re not yet a fan, you can become one here.

4) Twitter users can also get an extra entry each day for tweeting: “Be the first to know what’s coming to @PlayhouseSquare’s Broadway Series. Enter @ADHicken’s Launch Party giveaway: http://wp.me/p2Ukr0-1Sl”  (Each day you do this, you must leave a new comment.)

You have until Sunday, March 10 at 11:59PM to enter. On Monday, March 11, I will select 2 winners using Random.org and will announce their names on my blog.  Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry.

Disclosure: As a member of PlayhouseSquare Partners, I was invited to attend the Broadway Launch announcement and then invited as a blogger to give away tickets to the March 19 announcement. The two $10 gift certificates were purchased. All opinions are my own.