Once (Broadway)

See it if you like pared-down, straight forward shows. Once has no bells & whistles, but the characters are well-drawn and the music is pleasant.

Don't see it if you want something sophisticated or lavish. Probably better in an intimate setting; too small a show for Broadway. A quiet pleasure.

Also I'm catching up on reviews of shows I saw pre-Show Score. Once was an enjoyable show, but it was very small. Not really worthy of Broadway ticket prices.... Read more Read less

See it if you like unrequited love stories. Folk music.

Don't see it if you like plots that make sense.

See it if You like very slow moving musicals about characters who are dull.

Don't see it if You want to see something with catchy music or are expecting a great love story, this show is not that.

See it if love talented musicians

Don't see it if you didn't like the movie.

See it if You're absolutely in love with the movie.

Don't see it if You found the movie slow.... The show is on par.

See it if you can find what all the critics loved so much. Maybe it was the original leads, who I didn't see. No idea.

Don't see it if the fact the actors play their own instruments isn't enough to get you through two-plus hours. I really. Do. Not. Get the hype.

See it if you want to see something innovative and unique. It's a smaller scale production that packs an emotional punch.

Don't see it if you're looking for a more traditional, flashy musical.

See it if you want to "fall slowly" into an nontraditional type of love story that avoids the cliches. Thoughtful, resonant songs will sweep you away.

Don't see it if you like flashier musicals with intense staging, costuming, and design. There is a sparseness here, but it offers intimacy and delicacy.

See it if beautiful music, romance, simplicity of stage and script can capture your spirit. There is nothing "big" about it, just its enormous heart.

Don't see it if you're expecting the movie. This is NOT the movie; its BETTER. Ends differently; and BETTER. Deservedly won the Tony; it's ALL heart & soul.

See it if You want a pleasant evening at musical theater. You like Irish music.

Don't see it if You like fancy costumes and scenery, want more rock n roll, and flash.

See it if you want to see a beautifully simple and tragic love story set to some amazing songs.

Don't see it if you are expecting a big, bold musical or looking for something fun that is tied up with a nice happy ending. This is more real.

See it if you liked the movie / you are comfortable with ambiguous endings / you like a tender love story

Don't see it if you are looking for jazz hands and spectacle in your theatre

See it if you loved the movie

Don't see it if you want something more uplifting .

See it if Talent all over the stage. make sure you go up and grab a beer at intermission.

Don't see it if You didn't like the movie.

See it if You are a musician. Every musician should see this show given the chance. But this show is for anyone who wants a lot of heart in a show.

Don't see it if You dislike folk/indie music. You want a fun, light show. It gets heavy and is not a big flashy musical.

Also I saw Once twice on broadway and also saw the first national tour.

Once was a truly unique experience in the theatre, though I think it has inspired many musicals since its opening.

The first thing I can say about it is that it simply flies by. The pacing is remarkable. Scene changes are almost instantaneous.

The book is razor sharp and I believe improves upon the movie's dialogue. In fact my favorite piece of dialogue that just kept rolling around in my head afterwards is Edna Walsh's doing. "It cannot be about that."

There is more talent among the actor/musicians on-stage than one can fathom. Multi-instrumnetalists fill the stage each one more talented than the last.

But it's Cristin Milioti who manages to steal the show. She is both enigmatic and fiercely human. And her voice is so perfectly delicate.

If you get a chance to see this show see it. It's that simple.... Read more Read less

See it if You've heard "Falling Slowly" and think that two hours of that song sounds appealing.

Don't see it if You want an actual ending in a story.

See it if you are a romantic, enjoy original music & wonderful performances.

Don't see it if are looking for an old fashioned musical with fluffy dance numbers.

See it if imaginative staging and musical choreographic story telling leave you breathless. An utterly wondrous production.

Don't see it if if beautiful scores, romantic stories, and great performances leave you cold. Or if you're just bitter and heartless

See it if you like stories and shows directed at grown ups. You enjoy subtle stories that unfold slowly. You loved the film.

Don't see it if you want lots of action in your shows, or you don't like having the actors play their own instruments.

See it if Beautiful singing around a simple but well-told relationship story would appeal. "Old-world" feel to the set, staging and pace.

Don't see it if You find period-piece approaches and instrument-playing actors pretentious or mannered. Or if you like your musicals bright and brassy.

See it if you fall into the Tony's (like I do) and you have to see the "Best play of the year" Tony Winner.

Don't see it if you don't fall asleep in your seat. The soundtrack was slow.

Also "Once" is an example of an overrated play. It won the Best Musical of the Year, when the songs are boring, repetitive and in the same stage. I didn't like the singing and the acting. I felt in a Country Music Festival.
I don''t understand the criteria of the judges that decide the Tony nominees and winners.
It is a mediocre and irrelevant musical. Almost at the end I wanted to run out of the theater.... Read more Read less

See it if you're looking for an intimate musical that doesn't feature lots of big production numbers, or if you're a fan of the film.

Don't see it if you're looking for those big splashy Broadway production numbers. You won't find them here & will probably think tis show is slow.

See it if you want an original musical about characters rather than plot, folk music, & impressive on-stage talent.

Don't see it if You don't enjoy live instrumental performances, want something fast paced, or not interested in a bittersweet love story.

See it if I prefered it to the movie, I liked the bar setup and the tone of the whole show. The musicians were great. I saw it for Arthur Darvill.

Don't see it if It could have been a lot more. It kind of fell off in quality besides Darvill's performance. I didn't hate it, but yea, so-so.

See it if you loved the movie, the soundtrack, or are a sucker for a good love story.

Don't see it if you are a longtime Frames fan and find the idea of watching a pale imitation of Glen Hansard for 2+ hours offputting.