Adapted for the stage from the 2006 film of the same name, Once is a musical that follows the story of a street busker who falls in love with an unattainable woman. Often described as somewhat of an "anti-musical," the show features song performances without the standard Broadway elements of elaborate set designs, ornate costumes or general pageantry. Instead, the characters, who remain unnamed throughout the production, sing their songs in a raw manner as the woman helps the man realize his dreams of becoming an established musician and moving to New York. After premiering on Broadway 2011, Once quickly won the accolades of critics and patrons alike, locking down a total of eight Tony Awards in 2012.
