Omaha Performing Arts will present the musical ONCE May 12th through the 17th. The show won eight Tony Awards in 2012 including Best Musical.
John Steven Gardner plays Eamon in the production. He says though he’s been touring with the show for awhile, the cast works hard to keep it fresh.
Gardner says 15 minutes before the show starts there’s a musical jam session on stage. He says the stage is set up like an Irish pub and has a working bar.
Audience members are invited to join the cast onstage while they play a few traditional Irish and Czech folk songs to warm up.
Though the first three songs are set, the music director told the cast they could choose the second three and Gardner says that keeps things interesting.
"He said it’s going to be a long run and if you ever feel yourself getting bored it’s okay to try new things within reason. So he gave us a lot of freedom with that. It’s just making sure we are present with each other every night on stage and continually trying to surprise each other.”
ONCE is onstage May 12th through the 17th at the Orpheum Theatre.