We go to theatre to feel something, to see a reflection of our own lives, our own struggles on stage. Maybe this helps us cope with our problems, or it makes us realize we have problems. This can be seen in the theatre; ee see ourselves onstage, along with all the set and the lights.

Reflection is a fitting term, considering mirrors comprise most of the set of the Tony Award-winning musical “Once.” The musical opened Sunday, Feb. 21 at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC).

The show is loosely based on the Academy Award-winning film of the same name starring Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, who also wrote the music to the film and the musical.

The musical tells the story of a heartsick, Irish musician and a Czech, single mother as they quickly fall in love. They decide that they want other things from life and go their separate ways.

This is not a typical love story. Most people assume when seeing a guy and girl on a poster that they will end up together.

This is not the case with “Once.” The guy goes to New York, tries to make it as a musician and works things out with his ex-girlfriend while the girl stays behind in Dublin to take care of her daughter and work things out with her estranged husband. The story drives home the ideas of self-worth, unconventional love and the healing power of music.

One might ask why they never got together; it goes along with the idea that one cannot leave things unfinished. Guy’s girlfriend left him, that’s an unfinished story. Girl’s husband left her, which is also an unfinished story.

The two do not get together because that would leave their respective stories unresolved. If they were to fall in love and have the typical, Hollywood happy ending, it would be starting a new story on top of an unfinished one.

There are differences from screen to stage. The film only focuses on Guy and Girl. In the musical there are a cadre of supporting characters, each with their own stories.

Some may see this as a betrayal of the source material, but I believe it shows the power of music and that what it can do to people is more far reaching than just those who make it.

As mentioned, mirrors comprise most of the set up on the walls of what appears to be a pub. What’s interesting about this is that it allows the actors to turn their back to the audience, a practice that is usually frowned upon in the theater. This is significant because it still reveals the emotions of the actors and instills the theme of the importance to know oneself.

This show had an exceptional cast. Unlike a lot of musicals, every member of the cast played an instrument and served as part of the “pit” band.

It would be difficult to find a cast with more rounded talent than this one. Specifically, the performances of Sam Cieri who played “guy” (the male lead) and Mackenzie Lesser-Roy who played “girl” were heartfelt, funny and full of nuance.

“Once” is a beautiful example of what new theatre is and can be. There are so many stories that can be told in our time in so many different ways.

There is a line in the show that exemplifies not only the show’s message but also what we should strive for in our own lives.

The play’s message seems to be do not get stuck. Finish your stories. Guy’s father asks him: “How’s your heart?” to which Guy perfectly responds: “It’s traveling.”