Love and a career in music both get a second chance in Edna Walsh’s musical Once, based on the film by John Carney.
Concord High School students will present Once on May 12, 13 and 14. This will be the school’s first live musical in more than two years.
The story centers on two unnamed characters. An Irish busker, known as Guy (Jake Orlen), is ready to give up music as his songs are too heartbreaking to sing when his girlfriend leaves him to go to New York City.
He meets Girl (Laura Houle), a Czech woman with her own past, who encourages him not to give up on his music quite yet. She also prods Guy into using music to win his ex-girlfriend back and use his talents to acquire a loan so he can follow her to New York.
Together, with their banker and his friends, they form a band and record a demo for a major recording studio.
Of course, attraction simmers under the surface and questions arise. Should Guy go to New York after all? Should Guy and Girl cross the ocean together?
Supporting cast members include Caleb Jackson, Christopher Renaud, Gavin Johnson, Ryley Nash, Thuy Schmitz, Ryan Sheehan, Myrick Oxnard, Ryder Fisk, Angela Vasquez, Sarah Malette, Evelyn Cohen, Kathryn Langille, Taylor Minery and Karl Surmanis.
The musical is directed by Clint Klose.
Showtimes are Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. with an additional matinee on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the auditorium.
Tickets are available at onthestage.tickets/concord-high-school1/season. Cost is $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors.