The problem with high expectations is that no matter the quality of the show you will leave disappointed if it does not live up to your exact expectations. This unfortunately was the case with Broadway in Detroit’s Once which possessed all of the key pieces to create an incredible show but fell short.
Broadway in Detroit has a history of bring exceptional shows to the area. Combined with the elegance of the Fisher Theatre and professionalism of the ushers the experience leads one to believe they paid a lot more for a ticket than they did. Unlike a normal production where you are immediately led to your seats, we had the opportunity to wander on stage where a bar had been set up and cast members were playing their instruments. Standing on the stage of the Fisher Theatre, listening to talented musicians playing their hearts out and looking out at hundreds of seats packed with excited patrons caused my expectation to yet again rise.
Nominated in 2012 for 13 Tony awards and winning 10 including Best Musical, Lighting, Scenic Design and Orchestration, the musical itself was powerful. A beautiful set, perfectly timed lighting and great orchestration made me consciously realize that I should love this show but I didn’t. The first act, which has limited plot points, heavily relies on the acting of the Guy (Stuart Ward) and Girl (Dani de Waal) yet, much of the dialog came off as too rehearsed. The Girl, who must go from rejecting the Guy at the beginning of the show to falling in love with him in the second act, showed no emotional changes throughout the show until the moment before she admits that she loves him. Yes, her character is always serious because “I [she] am Czech” but her dialog felt thoughtless, that each line was said because it was her turn – not because she was in the moment as her character. The acting much improved in the second act when the plot began to move at a quicker pace.
Vocally, the cast was superior to many productions which I have seen. Additionally, the cast served as their own orchestra and the musicality of the numbers was beyond reproach. The first act finale Gold was exceptionally powerful as the performers performed choreography as they sang and played their instruments (including the cellist!). In the second act an a cappella version of Gold was performed with minimal movement starkly contrasting the movement of the first act finale. By staging the two performances of Gold in complete contrast the musical differences were highlighted as well as the emotional changes which had taken place between the two pieces.
This production had all of the pieces to create an incredible show. Whether is was because it was the last show of a run, the second show of the day or something completely unrelated to how tired the performers must have been, the acting felt contrived in the first act preventing me from connecting with the characters and from caring about them. I would highly recommend attending this show, from a technical standpoint alone it is worth attendance and the voices were perfectly cast for each and every role. However, I would advise against attending the second show of the day toward the end of the run – better to get the actors when they are fresh so the characters are real than rehearsed.
