CenterPoint Legacy Theatre is presenting the musical 'Once,' an intimate production featuring live acoustic music performed by the cast on the Mountain America Main Stage. The production, which runs through August 18, serves as a beautiful tribute to composer Glen Hansard following his recent passing.
A Story of Connection
The musical, based on the film written and directed by John Carney, follows the story of two strangers whose shared love of music creates a profound connection. Set on the streets of Dublin, the plot centers on a struggling Irish musician known as "Guy" and a Czech immigrant known as "Girl." Over the course of a week, their unexpected connection transforms their music and their lives forever.
Live Musical Performance
The production is notable for its technical and artistic challenges, specifically the requirement that all actors perform their own live music. Unlike typical productions at CenterPoint that utilize recorded backtracks, 'Once' relies on live acoustic folk music played by the performers on stage. This shift to live instrumentation presents a unique challenge for a company that typically utilizes recorded audio.
Cast and Performances
The production features two distinct casts. The Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday cast is led by Spencer Hunsicker as Guy and Ellie Hughes as Girl. Supporting performers for this cast include Dylan Manzanares as Billy, Anna Marisa Bean "Risa" as Baruska, Naomi White as Reza, Jackson Stewart as Andrej, Christopher Souther as Eamon, Samantha Allen as Emcee, Matthew Price as Da, Scott Butler as Bank Manager, Elijah Lopez as Svec, and Katherine Frandsen as Ex-Girlfriend.
Alternative Cast Schedule
A second cast performs on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This cast is led by Nathan Bowser as Guy and Lindsea Garside as Girl. The supporting cast includes Brandon Garside as Billy, Theresa Chatelain as Baruska, Faith Driggs as Reza, Isaac Carillo as Andrej, Ryan Boam as Eamon, Kristen Alley as Emcee, Jacob Draper as Da, David Johnson as Bank Manager, Alec Halpin as Svec, and Katie Higbee as Ex-Girlfriend.
Staging and Direction
Directed by David Martin, the production attempts to bring an intimate feel to the large CenterPoint stage. The set, designed by Truxton-Moulton, recreates a street in Dublin, allowing the audience to see into various shops and storefronts. The production also utilizes a lighted marquee sign to integrate the character of Girl's Czech background into the narrative.
Musical Background
The musical is a significant undertaking for CenterPoint, as the version being performed is described as more mature than the company's typical selections. While the production uses a version with cleaned-up language, it remains a bold choice for the venue. The show's musical score, featuring songs such as "Leave" and the highlight "Falling Slowly," was written by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, with a book by Enda Walsh.
Awards and Legacy
The musical's history includes a highly successful run, having premiered Off-Broadway in 2011 and on Broadway in 2012. The original film, which the musical is based on, won Hansard an Oscar. The stage musical has previously won eight Tony Awards, including the award for Best Musical.
