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"Once" casts a spell

Wednesday Mar 20, 2019

Nile Scott Hawver as Guy and Mackenzie Lesser-Roy as Girl in SpeakEasy Stage production of "Once." Photo credit: Maggie Hall Photography
Nile Scott Hawver as Guy and Mackenzie Lesser-Roy as Girl in SpeakEasy Stage production of "Once." Photo credit: Maggie Hall Photography  

Once, SpeakEasy Stage Company, Calderwood Pavilion, Boston Center for the Arts, through April 7. Bostontheatrescene.com or 617-933-8600

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Once, a musical based on the 2007 John Carney film of the same name, is a disarming combination of the personal and the collective. With the original by turns sweet and snappy Glen Hansard-Marketa Inglova score, this appealing show smoothly moves between offbeat romance and ensemble harmonies and buildups. Enda Walsh's seemingly simple book has symbolically named Guy—a Dubliner who fixes vacuum cleaners but means to develop a career in music—and Girl—a Czech who plays piano ,has written her own compositions and cares for her daughter Ivonka—demonstrate mutual chemistry but remain on the threshold of romance. At the same time, the many music-playing characters join together with Guy to practice and put together a CD of songs. Through the musical, the Czech immigrants bolster Girl's and their own hopes and dreams. Eventually the Dublin and Czech musicians work passionately and precisely to create Guy's heartfelt CD.

Fans of this wistful show and newcomers to its charms alike will easily fall under the spell of the SpeakEasy Stage Company edition in the fittingly cozy Roberts Theatre space of the Calderwood Pavilion. Along the way—as in the film—the characters diverse individual odysseys are explored. Fans of the touching screen predecessor will know from the start whether Guy will head for New York with his recording and the intention of making up with his wife and whether Girl stays true to her husband. Familiarity aside, the SpeakEasy staging proves a magical one.

Under Paul Melone's careful direction, the cast become a harmonious musical ensemble despite diverse views about capitalism and life. Steven Ladd Jones provides strong musical direction for cast members as they actually play various string and percussion instrument—including piano, cello, violin, bouzouki, accordion and tambourine. Their musical skills are most evident on the first act-closer "Gold" and its later reprise. Ilyse Robbins' choreography crisply captures the distinctive moves of Dublin and Czech dances. The dancing actors often come together heartily in telling moments of unity between the characters' cultures. Eric Levenson's scenic design smartly evokes the no-nonsense ambiance of the characters' surroundings. Karen Perlow's nuanced lighting significantly enhances the intimacy of the music shop work on the CD and Guy and Girl's sweet moments looking out on Dublin and the stars.

Nile Scott has the right mix of insecurity and heart as Guy, and Mackenzie Lesser Roy is even better—strikingly spontaneous and passionate yet conscience-guided as Girl. Supporting standouts include Billy Butler's hot-tempered music store owner Billy, Jeff Song's alternately defensive and self-validating Bank Manager, who quite candidly identifies himself as a "penis person" in contrast to straight Billy. Butler and Song convincingly develop the understanding and mutual respect between their characters. Other strong performances include Jacob Brandt 's weary service worker and would-be area manager Andrej and Marta Rymer's flirtatious but well-intentioned Czech confidante (for Girl) Reza. Hawver and Roy make the Oscar-winning "Falling Slowly" as dreamy yet plaintive as in the film.

"Falling Slowly" lyrically embraces choice even in the face of challenge. SpeakEasy Stages' individual and collective talents rise to the show's challenges with a production that will win your heart. You may decide to see this winner more than once.