Once: Arthur Darvill and Joanna Christie
British actors Arthur Darvill (Dr Who) and Joanna Christie will make their Broadway debuts starring as 'Guy' and 'Girl' in the 8-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical Once at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre beginning 23 Apr 2013.
The actors assume the roles from original cast members Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti who played their final performance on 24 Mar 2013. During the short interregnum the roles of 'Guy' and 'Girl' were played by the show's standbys Ben Hope and Laura Dreyfuss.
Arthur Darvill ('Guy') is known to fans around the world of the long-running BBC-TV show "Doctor Who" in which he played "Rory Williams." A British actor and musician, his recent London stage appearances include 'Our Boys,' 'Dr Faustus' (Shakespeare's Globe), 'Swimming with Sharks,' 'Marine Parade,' 'Stacy' and 'Terre Haute.' His films include "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll," "Pelican Blood" and "Robin Hood." Other television includes "Little Dorrit", "The Paradise" and "Broadchurch."
Joanna Christie ('Girl') appeared in the West End production of Peter Shaffer's 'Equus' opposite Daniel Radcliff. She is a member of the National Youth Theatre. Her television appearances includes: "Mr. Selfridge," "Starlings," "Misfits 3," "Inspector Lewis Series II," "Small Dark Places," "No Angels," and "Holby City."
The cast of Once now features Arthur Darvill as 'Guy' and Joanna Christie as 'Girl.' Also in the company are David Abeles, David PatRick Kelly, Jillian Lebling, Eliza Holland Madore, Anne L. Nathan, Lucas Papaelias, Andy Taylor, Carlos Valdes, Erikka Walsh, Claire Wellin, Paul Whitty and J. Michael Zygo.
Once opened at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on 18 Mar 2012, following previews from 28 Feb 2012, and is currently booking through to 13 Apr 2014.
The show opened to excellent reviews: Vital and surprising (NY Times); Wonderful (NY Daily News); Gem of a show (NY Post); The most exuberant, feel-good show in town (Record); Wistful little charmer in every musical way (Newsroom Jersey).
Directed by the Scottish director of 'Black Watch,' John Tiffany, with choreography by Steven Hogget, the musical stars Steve Kazee ('110 in the Shade') as 'the Guy' and Cristin Milioti ('The Little Foxes') as 'the Girl.'
The cast currently features David Abeles, Claire Candela, Will Connolly, Elizabeth A. Davis, David Patrick Kelly, Anne L. Nathan, Lucas Papaelias, Andy Taylor, Erikka Walsh, Paul Whitty and J. Michael Zygo.
The set and costume design are by Bob Crowley, lighting design is by Tony winner Natasha Katz and sound design is by Clive Goodwin.
The musical won eight 2012 Tony Awards: Best Musical; Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Steve Kazee); Best Direction of a Musical; Best Book of a Musical; Best Orchestrations; Best Scenic Design of a Musical; Best Lighting Design of a Musical; and Best Sound Design of a Musical.
Once, a stage adaptation of the 2007 Academy Award-winning film of the same name, is a modern day musical set on the streets of Dublin about a street musician and a Czech immigrant. During an eventful week the two meet, begin writing songs together, rehearse and record their songs to take to London in hopes of landing a music contract. Through the music they write, the duo works through their past loves, and are confronted with their new feelings for each other.
The musical features the Academy Award-winning music and lyrics of Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, with a book by award-winning Irish playwright & screenwriter, Enda Walsh (Penelope,' Hunger, The New Electric Ballroom). Steven Hoggett (American Idiot, Black Watch) will provide musical staging and Martin Lowe (Mamma Mia!) is the music director.
Once is produced on Broadway by Barbara Broccoli, John N. Hart Jr., Patrick Milling Smith, Frederick Zollo, Brian Carmody, Michael G. Wilson, and Robert Cole.
The 2007 Academy Award-winning film, Once, was written and directed by John Carney, and starred Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, with original music and lyrics by Hansard and Irglová.
Arthur Darvill (Guy) and Joanna Christie (Girl)Originally published on