Socks Whitmore – Stage Raw.
In Dublin, a struggling Irish musician bumps into a young Czech woman and his life changes forever. This is the premise of the 2007 musical film Once, and likewise the stage musical of the same name, both featuring songs by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová (including the infamous “Falling Slowly”), with the musical’s book by Enda Walsh. Billed as the only show to have music that has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Olivier Award, and a Tony Award, Once: The Musical has brought its cultural potluck to the Laguna Playhouse stage. The show sports an ensemble of actor-musicians, a rich array of musical styles, and a simple onstage bar that carries on a unique Once tradition: opening during intermission for drink sales to the audience. Before the show begins, the cast does a charming set of carefree traditional folk songs, pulling triple duty effortlessly by singing, playing, and dancing with gusto. Read more…