John Carney’s 2006 Oscar-winning film ‘Once’ proves to be the gift that keeps on giving, with the Broadway version picking up eight Tony Awards at the 66th annual ceremony last night.
Irish playwright and screenwriter Enda Walsh (Hunger, Disco Pigs) was awarded the Tony for Best Book of a Musical for his musical adaptation of Carney’s feature. The show also scooped the overall prize of Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical for John Tiffany, and won lead actor Steve Kazee (Working Class) his first Tony for Best Performance by an Actor.
‘Once’ was released in 2006, starring ‘The Commitments’ actor and The Frames’ musician Glen Hansard and Czech singer-songwriter Markéta Irglová. The pair won an Oscar in 2007 for Best Original Song for ‘Falling Slowly’, while the entire soundtrack was nominated for a Grammy the same year.
The stage adaptation of ‘Once’ premiered at the New York Theater in 2011, making its way to Broadway just a year later. Enda Walsh wrote the script, keeping to the original soundtrack, and John Tiffany (Black Watch) directed.
Kazee and co-star Cristin Milioti (That Face), who was also nominated in the Best Actress category, performed songs from the musical on the night.
The production also picked up Tony Awards for Best Orchestration, Best Sound and Design, Best Scenic Design and Best Lighting Design.
