January 23

March 1

Winner 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical

Free Preshow Concert 20 Minutes Before Curtain

Once

The songs… soar with rough-edged, sweet-and-sad ambivalence that is seldom visited in contemporary American musicals.

The New York Times

EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND THRU MARCH 2nd!

Get ready to experience the heart and soul of Once! This intimate musical, based on the Academy Award-winning film, tells the story of a Dublin street musician and a Czech immigrant whose chance encounter sparks a week-long collaboration full of music, dreams, and unexpected connection. He’s trying to move on from heartbreak, she’s a bit of a mystery, and both are a bit stuck as they deal with their own pain and loss. But together, they create songs that capture the joy, struggle, and beauty of life, music that has the power to speak to their souls and offer some healing. This unlikely friendship blossoms into something powerful, complicated, and brings the possibility of something more…

An ensemble of actors play the hilarious and eclectic characters around them – parents, immigrants, a struggling shopowner, and more – Once shows how music can create unlikely community out of disparate people. Scored with evocative, emotionally charged music and performed live by the ensemble of actors themselves, Once is a raw, heartfelt, and joyous musical journey. It’s a must-see for anyone who has ever been swept away by stories of hope, connection, the transformative magic of music, and love. Don’t miss the chance to experience this celebrated, Tony Award-winning musical in a whole new way!

“A revelation! This is some of the best live theatre in Southern California.”

– BroadwayWorld

“Top 10! Recommended!”

– Stage Raw

“A musical so magical and memorable, you might even want to see it twice.”

– StageSceneLA

“A true paradise for theatre lovers!”

– Glamagical

“intimate, raw, and authentic… with breathtaking skill and emotional truth.”

– Fanboy Nation

“Incredibly phenomenal from start to finish…you won’t want to miss.”

– SoCal Thrills

Approximate Running Time

Performances

Notes

  • Post-show discussion after each performance
  • Join us for Opening Night as a Platinum Member.
  • Babes in arms and children under 4 are not permitted.
  • 30% off for groups of 10 or more.
  • Pay-What-You-Can Preview Performances
  • Free, Convenient Parking
  • Childcare Matinee Performance on Sunday, February 22 at 3PM
  • Free Preshow Concert 20 minutes before curtain.

Sanctuary City contains themes related to immigration and undocumented status, including references to deportation, family separationphysical abuse and systemic injustice.  
The play also includes depictions and discussion of emotional distress, trauma, poverty, and frequent strong language.  
These themes may be distressing for some audience members.

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    Auditions: Jagged Little Pill

  • Chance Gala 2026

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    Wine Night – The Bed Trick

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    Pride Night – The Bed Trick

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    Community Spotlight – Jagged Little Pill

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    Pride Night – Jagged Little Pill

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    Wine Night – Jagged Little Pill

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    Wine Night – Once

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    Pride Night – Once

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    Community Spotlight – Once

Production Photos

Rehearsal Photos

  • If you’ve seen a lot of musicals, you may think you know what to expect when the music starts. In most shows, songs arrive as set pieces, carefully staged and supported by an unseen orchestra. Once does something very different, and you…

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  • ONCE continues to captivate audiences with its heartfelt story and live music by Stephi Wild Chance Theater, Anaheim’s official resident theater company, has announced the first show of Chance’s 2026 Season, Once, has been extended through March 2, 2026. Featuring book by…

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  • If you’ve ever left a show still thinking about it the next day, you’re going to have a great experience at Once. This isn’t a musical that tries to overwhelm its audiences with size or flashiness or volume. It’s a show that…

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  • In Once, music is not simply part of the experience… it is the means by which the story unfolds. Rather than relying on spectacle or larger-than-life theatrics, the musical leans into intimacy, allowing songs to take the place of dialogue when feelings…

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  • Stage Raw: Once

    Stage Raw says Once is “Recommended”! “cohesive and fluid” “Morgan Hollingsworth’s Guy brings depth and restraint” “Emma Laird’s Girl is emotionally complex and musically assured.” “The ensemble is uniformly strong, with Will Huse, Leta Rhodes, and Austin Ledger standing out from among…

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  • SoCal Thrills says Once is a show “you won’t want to miss”! “incredible line up of actors” “The impeccable caliber of multi-talented performers is an incredible display of the versatility and passion brought to the intimate stage.” “Incredibly phenomenal from start to…

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Featured Artists

Cast

Creative Team