30 Things By 30: Once – The Musical

The first time I had even heard of Once was during the 2008 Oscars when "Falling Slowly" was preformed. It ended up winning best song that night and for some reason the song just stuck with me. The lyrics and music were poignant in some way and I was instantly drawn to the song. While I never ended up seeing the movie (I do plan on it at some point) it became one of my favorite songs.  

A few years later during the 2012 Tony Awards – and I believe during the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade - I watched the song be preformed once again on TV. This time I was able to see the performance staging/acting of it as it was now a Broadway musical and the song became even more memorable. It was then that I realized I MUST see this show. I was also drawn to the stage version because it’s not common for films to be adapted into productions – traditionally it’s the opposite way around with musicals being adapted into movies – Chicago, Phantom of the Opera etc. (However I have realized that this seems to be a new trend as in the last few years shows have been adapted from Legally Blonde, Bring it On, Matilda etc… so maybe tradition is shifting).

I planned on seeing Once in NYC at some point but never got a chance to visit since it opened. The last time I was in the area I was in NJ with mom and hoped for a chance to make it into the city but we didn’t. The show came into Toronto a few years later but the timing didn’t work out so I once again missed it. Finally it was announced it was coming back and I was set on finally making my dream a reality and seeing it at last. For my birthday Brian surprised me with tickets and I was thrilled to finally get a chance to be seeing this said-to-be incredible musical.

Our tickets were for a Saturday afternoon showing on a day which ended up being incredibly snowy and icy. I had plans to take Paige pottery painting in the morning but had to leave the pottery studio early so that we have enough time to get downtown (Amanda an her cousin were there as well, so I didn’t completely abandon her!). About 10 minutes into the drive the car was slipping and sliding so Brian and I opted to take the GO Train into Toronto instead. By the time we caught the train and then took the subway up to the theater it was about 20 minutes to show time.

Our seats were incredible – on the aisle only 6 rows away from the stage! You could see everything clearly and with perfect detail. When we first sat down I was confused because there were people walking around on the stage with musicians playing some Irish songs. I soon realized that there was an on-stage bar set up and that audience members were able to walk up, look around, get a drink and listen to the music. Brian and I opted to stay in our seats and just enjoy the music from where we were. The stage was set up to look like an Irish pub and with the musicians playing it not only looked like it, but really felt like it as well. I was transported back to my Ireland trip and felt like I was in the same small local pub environment – despite being in such a large theater. 

When the show started the musicians – who were also some of the actors - just sat on chairs off to the side until they were needed to preform or play. There was no large orchestra or any large props/staging. Just the actors with their instruments off the side and the main set which was used for the entire show. They would bring in any key components as needed but even then it was kept simple – a piano, some tables, a vacuum and so on.  

The show was amazing – truly it was everything I thought it would be. The acting, singing and music were incredible. I felt like I was in Ireland and felt like I was really seeing a love story of people, not characters. Mirvish did a wonderful job with this show and it’s one of the best and most enjoyable ones I have seen in awhile. During the intermission I did chose to walk up to the stage and look around the set which was a really cool experience. I loved getting the chance to look out into the audience and see what the actors see each night (it brought me back to my childhood dreams of being an actress!) It was also interesting to see some of the props – which were very simple – up close. It really looked like all of the Irish pubs I visited and had a very inviting and comfortable feel to it.

The overall result of everything – the staging, props, set, actors, costumes, music – had a different effect then the typical musicals I have seen recently (ie – Wicked, Book of Mormon) I felt like I was sitting in a pub and not a theater. I could feel the emotion and truly felt as if I was part of the story in someway.

I absolutely loved this show and completely recommend seeing it if you have the chance!

http://www.mirvish.com/shows/once 

Wicked & Book of Mormon

Wicked 

Ever since seeing Wicked on Broadway while in NYC with mom back in 2006, it has been my second favorite musical (the first remaining Phantom of the Opera). I have been fortunate enough to see it performed two other times – with Brian in Toronto and more recently with a Brian, Nanny, Connor, Paige and Amanda. S. When I heard it was coming back to Toronto I knew it would be a great play to take Connor and Paige too and knowing how much Amanda. S and Nanny like musicals I figured we could make it a group thing.  As soon as tickets were on sale I booked us in for a Sunday afternoon performance. It was being done at the Ed Mirvish Theatre which is one of my favorite places – I love the beautiful rounded staircase and all the stunning gold accents. The whole atmosphere just makes me happy! Nanny was telling us about the time it was a movie house and some of her memories of the place. Toronto may not be as old as the places I've visited in Europe but it still has it's own great history. 

We took the train downtown and then a taxi to the theater. It was a fun experience going not only with Connor and Paige, but also as a group. All of us loved the show and it was just as great as I remembered it to be. Brian and I were the only ones who had seem it before but that didn’t negatively impact our enjoyment – if anything it added to it. I did have to explain some backstory to Nanny at intermission as she had never seen “The Wizard of Oz” (that fact shocked me! While it’s a movie I detest it’s one of those classics everyone has seen, or at least I thought). I think one of the reasons I enjoy the play so much is because I never liked the movie and this offers a different spin on everything. 

I have always loved the theatre – plays, musicals, anything really – and there have been only a handful I haven’t enjoyed. But I did find this one really special as I loved seeing the excitement on Paige face as she watched it. She was totally engrossed in the performance and when we talked about it at intermission (while waiting in the 20+ minute bathroom line) and afterward on the train ride home it was clear how much she loved every second of it. My love of theatre came from Nanny (its not something mom really enjoys) so its awesome that Paige shares that love with us!

Our cell phone tech support!

Book of Mormon

I had also seen Book of Mormon a few years back but when Nanny expressed interest in seeing it, I was up for going again. After we booked the tickets Brian was surprised I was seeing it with her. “You’re really going to watch that with your grandmother?” was his response. I was confused, because while there were some inappropriate aspects to the show, I didn’t recall it being that bad. Apparently my memory wasn’t as clear as his! Book of Mormon is written by the guys who created South Park and is a hilarious look into a Mormon mission to Africa that goes awry.  

There is much more swearing and adult-oriented behavior then I recalled. Thankfully Nanny found it funny and enjoyed the show! I am super lucky to have the grandmother I do – I doubt there are many 78 year olds who would see a show like that with their granddaughter and walk away having enjoyed it!  

Something else I love about live theatre is how two shows are never the same. There is always changes - mostly small - in staging, costume, and even minor ones with the characters - actions, their line delivery etc. I remember a professor who used to say that and I never understood what he meant until I saw a performance of "Les Mis" in London that went all wrong. The power went off at one point, someone forgot their lines and then later the show had to stop again because one of the leads was sick and the understudy needed to get changed. It was then that I fully understood what he had meant - there is the beauty in a live show that just isn't there in a taped version. 

I would have to say that this performance of was better then the one I saw previously - the two leads were amazing. The one who plays the screw-up character, reminded me exactly of the actor Josh Gad who originated the role on Broadway. He made the show and I was surprised to read that he was new to the theatre and that this was his first role. Mirvish may be somewhat expensive but every time I go I am reminded of how worth it the price ends up being. From their incredible theatres to their awesome props, costumes and actors, it makes for a wonderful experience.  

The Last Confession - Play Review

Something I absolutely love, is going to the theatre! Luckily, Toronto has an awesome theatre district. The Mirvish group put on a ton of amazing shows each year – many of which can be found playing on Broadway. Toronto also has a great smaller theatre community that tends to put on shows like Rent, Avenue Q, Rocky Horror, and Evil Dead the Musical. There is literally something for everyone in the Toronto Theatre scene.

Mirvish shows are the ones I tend to gravitate towards, and for awhile I had a subscription. Their subscription program is fantastic, as you get to see a full line of up of shows for a year, along with a bunch of perks like discounts on parking/restaurants, and the ability to reschedule if you are unable to make a performance. Some of the Mirvish shows I have seen in the last few years are – The Book of Mormon, Anything Goes, Wicked, Chess, Bring it On, Young Frankenstein, Legally Blonde, Pricilla Queen of the Desert, and a few others.  

Last year when Nanny and I went to see Anything Goes, she mentioned wanting to see The Last Confession a play that was part of the 2014/2015 lineup. I kept this in mind, and when it came time for Mothers Day, that was the gift I selected for her.

I bought us both tickets for the last show, which was a Sunday matinee. On the day of the play, there was a bunch of work being done along the main highways into the city along with numerous events along the Go Train line, so mom generously used a car credit she had so we could have a smoother ride down. Nanny isn’t exactly a fan of driving into the city, and the trains were going to be packed.

The Last Confession is a play based around the mysterious death of Pope John Paul I in 1978, after his 33-day reign. It takes elements of fact, and merges them with wide-spread speculation from the time, as well as some fictional elements to create a powerful drama about the inner workings of the Vatican. It portrays some of the actual Cardinals and Vatican officials as being power-hungry and desperate to hold onto their beliefs, rather then change with the times.  

The main star was David Suchet who portrayed Cardinal Benelli, and he made the play. The depth of his acting was phenomenal – and he brought so much to the story. The portrayal of Pope John Paul I, reminded me so much of Pope Francis, and some of the opinions and views he has recently expressed. While 1978 was before my time, based on this portrayal, I imagine things

in the Catholic Church could have been much different in recent years, if he hasn’t passed away so suddenly.

In all honesty, I went to The Last Confession mainly for Nanny. While the play seemed interesting, it wasn’t one I would pick myself, and I tend to prefer musicals. However, I was pleasantly surprised and how much I enjoyed it. It was a riveting story, with a fantastic cast. It’s unfortunate I saw it on the last day, because it is one I would have recommended to a number of people.

If this play returns, I would suggest seeing it – especially if David Suchet is starring it in again.

Below is a review from the Toronto Star:

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2014/04/27/the_last_confession_review.html