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The Inspiration Behind Once
Loyola’s final main stage production of the 2023/24 season, Once, brings the cult-classic indie film to life in the Newhart Family Theatre. Based on the 2007 film, Once follows two working class musicians looking for artistic and personal fulfillment in Dublin.
Filmmaker and musician John Carney began conceptualizing a film about musicians and went to his bandmate Glen Hansard for inspiration and the music for the film. Pulling from experiences in a rapidly changing Dublin, Carney was interested in a Dubliner not feeling at home in his home city.
Carney John. Once. Dublin, IE. Searchlight Pictures, 2007
After actor Cillian Murphy pulled out of producing and starring in the film, Carney was left with a shoestring budget and no lead actor. He turned to the songs’ writer, Glen Hansard, to star alongside Markéta Irglová, a Czech musician who co-wrote several of the films’ songs. The film’s two leads had little film experience under their belts, which created deeply authentic performances.
This unconventional start proved beneficial, as the film achieved widespread critical acclaim and significant financial profit on its small cost. The song “Falling Slowly,” co-written and performed by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, won the 2007 Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Development on a musical adaptation began shortly after the film’s success, premiering Off-Broadway in 2007. With book written by Irish playwright Enda Walsh, the stage version sought to replicate the intimate relationship at the heart of the film while bringing the music front and center.
In an interview with The Independent, Glen Hansard said, “I'm not complaining. I'm not. True, I didn't like the idea of it becoming a musical – I feared overexposure would kill it – but I suppose it helps me stand up and be in the world.” This concern of overexposure never manifested, as the musical went on to win eight Tony Awards and receive several productions internationally.
Loyola’s upcoming production of Once captures the film’s music as written, being played live by the actors and students from the Music Program. Set in the intimate Newhart Family Theatre, Once welcomes audiences into a vibrant representation of Dublin, pulling from the musical histories of Ireland and the Czech Republic.
Directed by Kelly Howe with music direction by David Fiorello, Once brings its heartfelt storytelling and vibrant music to Loyola’s stages April 4-7 and 11-14. Visit our ticketing page for details.
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Notes:
Duerden, Nick. “Glen Hansard on Finding Fame in the Commitments and Once.” The Independent, October 3, 2015. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/glen-hansard-interview-the-singersongwriter-on-finding-fame-in-the-commitments-and-once-a6677831.html.
Interviews, Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews &. 2008. “Director John Carney Talks about Hit Film Once.” Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. March 21, 2008. https://www.clashmusic.com/features/director-john-carney-talks-about-hit-film-once/.
O’Toole, Lucy. n.d. “Markéta Irglová: ‘I Change as the Years Go by – While the Girl in the Movie Stays the Same.’” Hotpress. https://www.hotpress.com/music/marketa-irglova-i-change-as-the-years-go-by-while-the-girl-in-the-movie-stays-the-same-22925579.
Krulwich, Sara. “Once,” 2011, The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/07/theater/reviews/once-the-musical-at-new-york-theater-workshop-review.html
