The Walterdale Theatre Hosts Irish Classic 'Once' From Now Until July 18th

By Emil Tiedemann

★★★★☆

'Once' plays at the Walterdale Theatre from July 8-18, 2026.

When I first watched John Carney's romantic musical drama Once in 2007, I fell fast in love with it, particularly its emotional soundtrack of yearning and heartache. It's a simple and unassuming love story set in Dublin, where an unnamed busker and vacuum repairman (Glen Hansard) has his life turned upside down when a young Czech mother and pianist – also unnamed (Markéta Irglová) – encourages him to chase his dreams as a singer and songwriter. They fall for one another but their exes complicate matters, as does the fact that she has a young daughter who takes priority over everything else in her life. 

The film was made for just $150,000 and became a worldwide phenomenon, grossing over $23 million at the box office, earning an Academy Award for the staggeringly beautiful ballad "Falling Slowly," and inspiring a Tony-winning musical that debuted on Broadway in 2012. If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favour. 

Since 2011, the musical version of Once – written by Enda Walsh – has been charming audiences first in New York and then around the world. It's currently playing right now at Edmonton's own Walterdale Theatre (July 8-18) in Old Strathcona, right next to the farmers' market. 

Mark O'Reilly and Miriam Veugelers star as "Guy" and "Girl," respectively, in this indie production presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). The musical mostly follows the plot of the film but explores some creative liberties that do not stray too far from the original source material, yet are enough to make the show its own thing at the same time.

Some of the actors getting ready to perform.

The supporting cast includes Guy's father (Jeremey Zimmerman) and ex (Ivy Ling), Girl's mother Baruska (Sally Hunt) and daughter Ivanka (Anna Duval & Hailee Keller), music shop owner Billy (Colin Stewart), studio owner Eamon (Cody Boyko), the bank manager (Ed Medeiros), and Girl's eccentric and hilarious roomies Andrej (Brendan Smith), Reza (Sophie Pickett), and Svec (Chance Heck). The show is directed by Bethany Hughes, who is also a playwright, choreographer, and the co-founder of Straight Edge Theatre. 

"At its heart, Once is about connection," Hughes states in the program's "Director's Notes." "It's about dreams we're afraid to speak out loud, the courage it takes to create, and the extraordinary impact one person can have simply by showing up for someone else. What if we allowed ourselves to be seen as we really are? What if we celebrated one another not despite our beautiful messiness, but because of it?"

The cast of about a dozen is lively, vibrant, and multi-talented – triple threats who can sing, act, and perform one of various musical instruments, providing both foot-stomping spectacles and introspective interludes. My softy sister even teared up at times, and I was not far off myself. Some of the softer songs are awe-inspiring and already nostalgic. In total, they perform some 15 songs, including favourites like "If You Want Me," "Leave," "When Your Mind's Made Up," "The Hill," "Say It to Me Now," "Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy," and of course, "Falling Slowly" (twice!). 

It's funny, it's heartwarming, and it's inspiring ... what more do you need?! In fact, my only complaint was the uncomfortable seating in the Walterdale, which certainly stifled the experience. Or maybe I just have a fat ass?! 

Despite the cramped seating (which does not take away from the show's rating), I can't help but recommend catching Once at the Walterdale (10322-82 Ave./ 780-439-3058) before it closes on the 18th of July. Tickets are $30.68 - $32.88 for the show, which runs around 2 hours and 20 minutes (with a 15-minute intermission). Drinks and snacks are available for purchase at the concession (no outside drinks or food allowed). 

Some of the 'Once' performers pre-show.