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| Malinda Kathleen Reese as Girl and Gregory Maheu as Guy |
As the patrons file into the
Olney Theatre Center’s Mainstage, they are greeted by an impromptu, high-tempo
mini-concert performed on stage by a group of musicians playing and singing a few
Irish folk songs and some pop tunes thrown into the mix. Their wardrobe and spoken
accents leave no doubt about the setting for what was about to unfold.
Once, a quirky
romantic musical by Irish film director, producer and screenwriter John Carney,
is making its Residential Regional Premiere at the Olney Theatre Center. The
musical, which opened on Broadway in 2012 following a brief stint at the New
York Theater Workshop, was based on the 2006 low-budget indie film that was
also written (and directed) by Carney. Once
received 11 Tony Award nominations and corralled eight statues in 2012
including Best Musical. #hocoarts
Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Tony Award
Nominee for the 2009 revival of Ragtime
on Broadway, makes her Olney Theatre Center debut as Director and
Choreographer. Her direction and staging of this musical is impeccable. The production
is paced superbly with precise timing, and a talented cast and crew deliver in
splendid fashion.
Once is an
unconventional show in that actors comprise the orchestra, play multiple
instruments, and are onstage through most of the production. There are two leads in the show, and the other
cast members appear in scenes and then return to the sides or rear of the stage
so they can resume their instrumental work.
Even Olney’s talented resident
maestro, Helen Hayes Award winner Christopher Youstra, who serves as Musical
Director for the production, emerges from his familiar locale in the orchestra
pit to participate in the onstage action, playing the accordion among other
instruments, joining in a dance, and has a bit of a speaking part as Emcee. He appears to be enjoying this different facet
of his repertoire.
It is indeed a challenge to find
accomplished musicians who concurrently possess solid acting skills, yet their
performances demonstrate that the folks at Olney responsible for casting were quite
successful in meeting that challenge.
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| John Sygar (Andrej), Carlos Castillo (Svec), Daven Ralston (Reza), Malinda Kathleen Reese (Girl), Somaya Litmon (Ivanka) , and Emily Mikesell (Baruska) |
As was the case with the film
with the same odd name, the musical Once
features music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. The
book for the musical was written by Irish playwright Enda Walsh, which contains
a good dose of romantic sentimentality with comedic moments popping up throughout.
There are peppy folk-rock
numbers in the show but overall, the score is ballad-heavy. The Oscar-winning
song “Falling Slowly” plus others like “If You Want Me,” “Leaving,” “Say It to
Me Now,” “Gold,” “Sleeping” and “When Your Mind is Made Up” are quite enjoyable
in their tenderness. Generally, the melodies are sweet and the lyrics are quite
touching in support of a sweet and touching story.
Guy, a contemporary Dublin
street musician (played wonderfully by Gregory Maheu) is ready to throw in the towel
on his music as the songs he wrote were directed towards a girlfriend who left
him to move to New York. The reason for
the breakup is never divulged, but he continues to brood about it.
He encounters a Czech immigrant,
referred to as Girl (played expertly by Malinda Kathleen Reese) who heard his
guitar playing and singing and immediately becomes curious about him. If that chance meeting wasn’t enough of a
coincidence, you have the fact that Guy’s day job is a Hoover vacuum cleaner
repairman and Girl’s Hoover that “doesn’t suck” is in need of repair.
Guy creates a barrier whereby
Girl doesn’t get too close. But they open up to each other as the budding friendship
ensues. She recognizes the beauty and scope of his talent and encourages him to
not let his recent breakup prevent him from realizing his true potential.
Girl ultimately convinces Guy to
share his music and she gets behind the piano.
It is clear both have musical gifts and they make each other’s music
better.
She implores Guy to keep writing his music, make an album and go to America to win back his
ex-girlfriend and return to his original love. It is during their quest to
finish this album that Girl and Guy become closer and begin to fall in love
with each other. However, Girl’s estranged husband wants to reconcile, and out
of duty towards her young daughter, she wants to give it a chance.
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| Gregory Maheu as Guy and the ensemble of Once |
As the guitar-playing musical
talent Guy, sturdy and handsome Gregory Maheu is commanding and graceful on
stage and portrays the brooding young man effectively while maintaining an
Irish accent throughout. Mr. Maheu’s
guitar-playing abilities and baritone vocals are impressive and strong and are
showcased in such songs as “Leaving,” “Say It to Me Now” and “Gold.”
His lines are perfect set-ups
for the more comedic Girl character in the person of Malinda Kathleen Reese. With
a Czech accent in tow, she is a loveable forceful firecracker but exhibits
a vulnerability and resists the temptation to fall physically for Guy. Ms.
Reese’s comic timing is spot-on in many exchanges, and her vocal prowess is on display
in the duet with Mr. Maheu in “Falling Slowly.” The onstage chemistry between
the two leads is outstanding as is the hilarious repartee. These are key factors
in the production’s success.
They receive solid support from
other performers, such as Dave Stishan as Billy who provides a comedic turn as
well as Emily Mikesell as Baruska who is Girl’s mother, and Nick DePinto as
Bank Manager.
Rounding out the talented cast
are John Sygar as Adrej, Carlos Castillo as Švec, Katie Chambers as
Ex-Girlfriend, Craig MacDonald as Da who is Guy’s father and owns the vacuum
repair shop, Daven Ralston as Réza, and Brian Reisman as Eamon. Girl’s daughter, Ivanka, is played
in-rotation by Kyleigh Fuller and Somaya Litmon.
Scenic Designer Michael Schweikardt’s set, while not elaborate, is artistic and functional. The backdrop is abstract and aesthetically pleasing. A couple of lamp posts are shown to denote the street scene and chairs are off to the sides from where the musicians play. Several large set pieces like a piano, a bed and a large wooden bar are used with the latter two being elevated from under the stage.
This setting is amplified by the warm glow from Colin K. Bills’ lighting and the exceptional sound designed by Matt Rowe. Frank Labovitz attired the cast neatly in costumes that are emblematic of the working class neighborhood of Dublin.
Scenic Designer Michael Schweikardt’s set, while not elaborate, is artistic and functional. The backdrop is abstract and aesthetically pleasing. A couple of lamp posts are shown to denote the street scene and chairs are off to the sides from where the musicians play. Several large set pieces like a piano, a bed and a large wooden bar are used with the latter two being elevated from under the stage.
Once is a different
type of musical from what we’re accustomed and is highly recommended. It features
a tender romantic story of looking back at what has been, how to bounce back
from despair and to try anew while beautiful songs fill the theater.
Not splashy and bold as many
musicals are, but Once is a performance-driven
production executed by a wonderfully talented cast, a skilled technical crew,
and helmed so ably by a total pro. The issue is you may not want to see the
show just once.
Running time. Two hours with an
intermission.
Advisory: Once contains profanity and is not suitable for young children.
Once runs through
March 10 at the Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road, Olney, MD
20832. Tickets may be purchased by calling 301-924-3400 or by visiting online.
Photos: Stan Barouh
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