Pictured: Tiffany Topol

Aurora’s Paramount Theatre has announced the cast and production team for the first Chicago-area staging of ONCE, the modern-day musical about an Irish busker (Guy), his immigrant fan (Girl) and their eventful week in Dublin as they write, rehearse and record songs. ONCE, based on the Oscar-winning movie, won eight Tony Awards in 2012. Enda Walsh penned the book, with music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, who also originated the roles of Guy and Girl in the 2007 film written and directed by John Carney. The signature song, “Falling Slowly,” went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

The Paramount production is lead by Director (and Paramount Artistic Director) Jim Corti and Music Director Tom Vendafreddo. Barry DeBois and Tiffany Topol will play the leads, both having performed in the ONCE national tour.

The cast also includes Jeanne T. Arrigo, Jenn Chandler, Alex E. Hardaway, Nik Kmiecik, Angel Lin, Everleigh Murphy, Jon Patrick Penick, Cassidy Stirtz, Charlie Strater, Larry Tobias, Grant Alan Watkins, Elisa Carlson, Cory Goodrich, Matt Kahler, Michael Kurowski, Doug Pawlik and Matthew C. Yee.

The production team includes: William Carlos Angulo, choreographer; Jeff Kmiec, scenic design; Theresa Ham, costume design; Nick Belley, lighting design; Mike Tutaj, projection design; Adam Rosenthal, sound design; Katie Cordts, wig, hair and makeup design; Amanda Relaford, properties design; Susan Gosdick, dialect coach; Klára Moldová, Czech Cultural Consultant; Trent Stork, associate director; Kory Danielson, assistant music director; Jinni Pike, stage manager; and Kelly Montgomery, assistant stage manager.

Once runs April 25 – June 3. For more info, visit ParamountAurora.com.