Out of the Box Theatre Company presents the musical “Once,” the second show of its 2022-23 season, at Center Stage Theater in Santa Barbara’s Paseo Nuevo. Performances run Friday through Sunday, April 14-23.

Actors Mica Basilici and Sam Kulchin lie on their backs on a rug in a scene from the show 'Once' at Center Stage Theater in Paseo Nuevo
Actors Mica Basilici, left, and Sam Kulchin star in ‘Once’ at Center Stage Theater in Paseo Nuevo. Credit: Courtesy photo

“Once” is the only show to have music that won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Olivier Award, and a Tony Award.

Written by Enda Walsh with music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglová, and directed by Samantha Eve, the Central Coast premiere features musicians from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. The show stars Mica Basilici as Girl and Ojai-based singer/guitarist Sam Kulchin as Guy.

In the story, an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant are drawn together on the streets of Dublin by their shared love of music. Over the course of one week, an unexpected friendship and collaboration evolve into a powerful but complicated love story.

Featuring all of the songs from the critically acclaimed film, including the Oscar-winning “Falling Slowly,” the show speaks to the power of music to connect people.

A company of 13 actor-musicians performs all roles and serves as the onstage orchestra in the fable about a stuck troubadour fearful about moving forward.

Tickets can be purchased and free tickets can be reserved through the Center Stage Theater box office, www.centerstagetheater.org, or by calling 805-963-0408. There will be a pre-show jam session with an outdoor bar.

This show is featured under Out of the Box Theatre Company’s youth initiative, sponsored by the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation. Developed to encourage increased arts exposure for young Santa Barbara residents, the initiative offers a limited number of free tickets to local residents under age 18 (with I.D.).

Note: The production contains some mature language.