ONCE

The multiple Tony award-winning, (including Best Musical,) Once at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura is truly the best thing I’ve seen in a long while! My friend, Nina2, and I were actually the first to jump up at the end to give the production a prolonged standing ovation! (But no worries—the rest of the audience members were right there with us one second later.)

Actually, the entire Opening Night Gala was a delight from start-to-finish.

For those of you who have never seen the 2007 film, nor the 2012 Broadway musical, Once tells the story of a guy struggling musician who meets a captivating young girl in Dublin. The rest you’ll have to discover for yourselves, which I highly recommend all SoCal denizens do right now at the Rubicon!

But don’t be late because the big Oscar-winning song, Falling Slowly, is performed just a few minutes in. When I got home from the opening night, I played the original song from the movie, which was performed by the stars who also wrote it, and I have to tell you that the two leads in this show—Shawn W. Smith, (if that even is his real name—I’m always a smidge suspicious of that surname,) and Maddie Eaton—actually sing it better! I’m not kidding. I wished I could hear their version again right away. I feel that they can actually sing just that one song for the entire two and a half hours, and everyone would still be riveted. (I know I would!)

Speaking of the music of Once, all of it is incredible! Musicians are magical to me, in general, so seeing the cast of actors and singers also play all the instruments, (which include lots of guitars, piano, accordion, violins, and cello,) is special. They’re all excellent musicians. The baker’s dozen of them seem like they’ve been playing together forever, not just for a couple of weeks of rehearsal and now performances.

All of the music is phenomenal, including what is played as the actors seamlessly move from scene-to-scene. It’s a pleasure to hear such good live music, and the Rubicon has a great stage to witness it on. Their sound system is superior, as well. I rarely notice that aspect of a theatre presentation, but Nina2 pointed it out to me, praising it for being “very good, clear, and balanced.” Who knew?

The score of Once, composed by the stars of the film, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, has a decidedly Irish feel to it, (because that’s the setting, of course,) which is something we don’t get to hear every day, so it’s a real treat. Of course the main song is my fave, but I also especially enjoyed Gold, a haunting a cappella song in Act II.

The entire cast here is very believable, especially the leads, Smith as Guy and Eaton as Girl.

Once is an amusing-yet-serious semi-love story, with Adam Huel Potter as Girls’ good friend Billy providing much of the comic relief. His performance could possibly be deemed a bit over the top, but it’s actually perfect—the levity he provides is always welcome. And Brian Maillard as the Bank Manager adds to the frivolity. (The movie is not a comedy, but this musical blends a lot of laughs into the sweet romantic friendship at the heart of the narrative.)

Even though it’s not a dancing kind of musical, the subtle way they change the set from scene to scene is very creative. And there is a tad of choreography, which makes the show somewhat more visually interesting.

When you see Once, I advise you to arrive a half hour early for the pre-show, which is a glorious Irish jam session by the cast. These peeps just want to play music all day! Which is good, because we want to listen to it! (And perhaps stick around the auditorium at intermission—the audience is invited to visit the bar on the stage to purchase their beverages, including a special one just for the run of the show.)

As to the Rubicon itself, all the seats are good there. But if you want to see Maddie’s hands when she plays the piano, ask for seats on the right side of the stage, facing it. Even the last of those four rows is perfect for that viewpoint.

The theatre is only about an hour from LA. So I suggest going to Ventura before the show and taking in the town. Or perhaps go to a matinee performance and then have dinner there after.

Nina2 and I attended the Opening Night Gala, so our audience was treated to a very festive after-party. It was held in the theatre’s own close-by warehouse, and featured big comfortable tables, a buffet of Irish culinary treats, (such as corned beef and cabbage sliders, pretzel bites with beer cheese, and my favorite—mini shepherd’s pies.) Because it had been an uber-long day and night for us, Nina2, who did the driving, was the most excited by her Irish coffee.

The organizers had even been thoughtful enough to include the party menu in a confirmation email to the ticket-holders! (I never received it, so I didn’t know that it also said, “We know that some of our galas are dress-up, but as Once is set in a pub in Dublin, casual attire is encouraged.” That would have been fun for me had I known, but I was still down with the theme of the evening in my green-for-the-Ireland-setting dress, which I get to rock usually only every March 17th!)

We were welcomed into the soiree by a group of bagpipers, the Gold Coast Pipers, and once inside were entertained by an adorable Irish dance troupe from Ventura’s Claddagh Dance Studio.

Even without the fun fete, I very highly recommend that absolutely everyone see Once at the Rubicon. And, not to be punny, but see it maybe even more than once, while you have this wonderful opportunity.

Once running through October 8, 2024
Rubicon Theatre 1006 E. Main Street, Ventura
805-667-2900
 www.rubicontheatre.org