Lilla Teatern puts on the Broadway musical Once / Broadway musical Once Lilla Teaternii
The Broadway musical Once will have its Nordic premiere at Lilla Teatern on 28 October 2020. The musical, which is based on the film (2007) of the same name, will be performed in connection with Lillan’s 80th anniversary and directed by the theatre’s artistic director Jakob Höglund, known through productions such as Kalevala, Stormskärs Maja and Billy Elliot. The main roles are played by musical professionals Emma Klingenberg and Tuukka Leppänen.
An unexpected encounter between an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant on a Dublin street is the prelude to an intense story of love and music. The hit musical Once by Enda Walsh is a gripping story about life’s crossroads, told with humor and warmth. Glen Hansard’s and Markéta Irglova’s breathtakingly beautiful music, with the Oscar-winning theme “Falling Slowly” in the lead, continues to captivate audiences around the world.
“It’s incredibly inspiring to be the first to bring Once to the Nordic countries and to Lilla Teatern! In addition to beautiful songs, Once also has a theatrical form that is unlike any other musical,” says Jakob Höglund, who took over as Lilla Teatern’s artistic director in November 2019 and now directs and choreographs the musical.
“We have a fantastic ensemble that really turns around. All twelve participants serve as both musicians and actors, and we have had a thorough selection process. The initial music rehearsals have already lifted the ceiling, so Once will be a musical party like no other, excellent to celebrate Lillan’s upcoming 80th anniversary with,” says Höglund.
The main roles are played by Emma Klingenberg, familiar from both the musical stages and the concert stages, and Tuukka Leppänen, who has appeared in several musicals on the main stage of the Helsinki City Theatre and is now taking on his first role in Swedish. The other roles are played by Ulriikka Heikinheimo, Santeri Helinheimo Mäntylä, Aleksi Kaufmann, Robert Kock, Sanna Majuri, Molla Rantamäki, Pia Runnakko, Kalle Ruusukallio, Vilja Seivo, Riku Vartiainen, Alexander Wendelin and Joachim Wigelius.
Annina Enckell is responsible for the Swedish translation of the libretto and Tobias Zilliacus has translated the Swedish lyrics. The set design and costume design are by Sven Haraldsson, who has collaborated with Jakob Höglund on several projects.
The film Once by John Carney was praised by both audiences and critics when it was released in 2007. The success story continued as the musical took Broadway and the West End by storm. Once is currently the only production of its kind to have won both Oscar, Tony, Olivier and Grammy awards.
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SUCCESSFUL MUSICAL ONCE LILLA TEATERN
The multi-award-winning Broadway musical Once based on the popular film (2007) will have its Nordic premiere at Lilla Teatern on October 28, 2020. The musical, which is one of Lillan’s 80th anniversary plays, is directed by Jakob Höglund, the artistic director of Lilla Teatern, a new generation theatre director, known from the Kalevala, Maija of Myrskyluoto and Billy Elliot . The main roles are played by versatile musical professionals Emma Klingenberg and Tuukka Leppänen.
Once, set in Dublin, tells the story of an encounter between an Irish street musician and a Czech immigrant, which leads to a beautiful story of love and music. Enda Walsh’s hit musical is a harrowing story told with warmth and humour about life’s crossroads. The breathtakingly beautiful music of Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglova, with the Oscar-winning theme song “Falling slowly” at the forefront, has delighted audiences around the world.
“It’s really inspiring to be the first to do Once in the Nordic countries and at Lilla Teatern! In addition to the incredibly wonderful songs, Once differs from other musicals because of its formal language,” says Jakob Höglund, who started as the artistic director of Lilla Teatern in November 2019 and is responsible for directing and choreographing the musical.
“We have an amazing musical ensemble. All twelve performers work as both musicians and actors, and we have had a strict sieve in the application process. The preliminary music rehearsals raised the mood to the ceiling and Once will be an unprecedented musical celebration. It’s the perfect way to celebrate Lillan’s 80th birthday,” says Höglund.
The main roles are played by musical star Emma Klingenberg and Tuukka Leppänen , who is familiar from the Helsinki City Theatre’s musicals and is now acting in Swedish for the first time.The other roles are played by Ulriikka Heikinheimo, Santeri Helinheimo Mäntylä, Aleksi Kaufmann, Robert Kock, Sanna Majuri, Molla Rantamäki, Pia Runnakko, Kalle Ruusukallio, Vilja Seivo, Riku Vartiainen, Alexander Wendelin and Joachim Wigelius. The libretto has been translated by Annina Enckell and Tobias Zilliacus translated the lyrics of the songs. The set and costumes were designed by Sven Haraldsson, who has worked with Jakob Höglund in many productions.
Once (2007), directed by John Carney, was praised by critics and audiences alike. The success story continued when the musical version of Once first conquered Broadway and then the West End. Once is the only production to have won both Oscars, Tony, Olivier and Grammy awards.
Once premiere 28.10.2020 at Lilla Teatern (Yrjönkatu 30). Performed in Swedish.