By Ashlei Havili Thomas
Once by the Pioneer Theatre Company at the Pioneer Simmons Memorial Theatre in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a unique show in many ways. This soulful folk musical takes place in Dublin, Ireland, with its music sung and played by the actors onstage. Guitars, mandolin, violins, cello, accordion, harmonica, piano, and other instruments pull the audience into their song and mold them with the words of the show. Based on the 2007 film of the same name, the music was written by the same duo as the movie, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, with the book by Enda Walsh. Once is an experience like no other, bittersweet and rich, with enough heart to satisfy those who hate the spectacle of most musicals. It will leave you stripped bare, filled with a grounded hope and belief that the fear of your own life is the only thing holding you back from greatness.
The main characters in the show are never named. In the program, they are simply listed as Guy and Girl. Guy is a local man, living with his father at the vacuum repair shop, writing music for the girl he loves. Girl meets him as he is about to give up on his music and in a five-day whirlwind helps him to put together a demo album and convinces him to leave to New York to begin his career and find his ex-girlfriend. In the time they are together, Guy and Girl have an undeniable chemistry, but Girl insists that she is not the love he should be pursuing. The supporting cast of their friends and family help flesh out this story, making it human and powerful in its imperfection. This is not a story neatly wrapped up in two hours with a fifteen-minute intermission, and yet that is its beauty. It shows how lives are so easily shifted, and that it takes a community to create any piece of art.
Guy is performed by Roderick Lawrence. Lawrence’s performance and stage presence is enthralling, every note not only perfectly sung but acted so completely that it is nearly impossible to look anywhere else onstage. While “Falling Slowly” is the most well-known song from the show, Lawrence’s performance in “Gold” is this reviewer’s favorite. His somewhat blundering persona as Guy adds to his charm and creates a well-crafted arc from the unsure man giving up on his dream to the confident artist pursuing the things he loves. Hillary Porter plays Girl; her deadpan humor and hidden fragility are well balanced with her no-nonsense attitude and hardball focus. Porter is perfect for this role; as the show’s catalyst she weaves everything together while keeping her own life (somewhat unsuccessfully) disentangled. Her complete vulnerability singing “The Hill” is heartbreaking, her lilting voice leaving the audience raw. Their onstage chemistry is instant and completely captivating, and those who do not know the ending to the show will be sorely disappointed by their goodbyes.
The supporting cast breathes further life into this show with their music, energy, and giving heart. It would be impossible to forget Chris Blisset as Billy, full-time music store owner, part time ninja. His humor, larger than life persona, and sensitive heart give lightness to the show, keeping the story from being heavy-handed. Cody Craven as Andrej and Zander Meisner as Švec are the other two pieces of the Three Stooges, bringing an almost manic energy to the show. “Abandoned in Bandon” sung by Kristopher Saint-Louis as the Bank Manager is farcical and has the audience in stitches. I was very impressed by the overall vocals, instrumentation, and dialects of the cast. Their giving is enormous, and enriches the performance and audience immensely.
The scenic design by Yoon Bae is fascinating. While being fairly simple and versatile, the two-fold theme of the story and music are absolutely manifest in the set. The entire show seemingly takes place in the belly of a giant instrument, with the sound hole of a guitar and the strings and keys of a piano most obvious in the design. The rotating centerpiece opens and closes for different settings, invoking the imagery of pages being turned as chapters of the story unfold. Gregory Gale’s costume design likewise is filled with many earthy tones, textures, and patterns, pulling the focus to the actors and further complementing their characters’ personalities. Kirk Bookman’s lighting design helps set the mood, providing translation for the portions in Czech, and showing how music can warm the soul, and create a feeling almost tangible to the listeners. Directed by Pirrone Yousefzadeh, the placement of the cast makes the show whole, a living and breathing creation of music and lives brought together through its performance.
Pioneer Theatre Company has a hard rule of no children under five at their shows, but due to the language I would raise the suitability of the show to ages 13 and up. Do not let that deter you from seeing Once. This was my first time seeing the show, and while I knew the story and loved the music already, this cast brings it to life in a way only a live performance can. Very few musicals are this grounded, this human and real. It truly is something to behold, and will reaffirm your belief that life’s every story, no matter the length, happens for a reason.
Pioneer Theatre Company presents Once with Book by Enda Walsh, Music and Lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová
Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre, C. Lowell Lees Main Stage, 300 S 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
February 15-March 2, 2019 7:00 PM Monday-Thursday, 7:30 PM Friday-Saturday, February 16, 23, March 2 2:00 PM
Tickets: $44-71
Contact: 801-581-6961
Pioneer Theatre Company Facebook Page
Once Facebook Event
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