 |
| Photo by Dan Norman |
Meditation. Wellness. Intention. Thoughtfulness.
There are so many Wellness Buzzwords floating around these days, and no wonder. In the cacophonous cultural din of modern day politics, a White House almost literally in flames, a well documented rising national stress level, the unending sonorous buzz of ever more electronics humming from ever more outlets in ever more clinically white noisy open office working spaces, it’s no wonder that our collective imagination is craving the peace of a true silence, or at least a break from the madness.
 |
| Photo by Dan Norman |
Few experiences can instantly center you in the quiet liminal space between the chaos as well as Once, a musical I’ve written about before and that finally has left its Broadway tour to grace local stages around the country. Once is the unlikely story of an Irish man named Guy, literally at the end of his rope, who meets a beautiful Czech immigrant named Girl. Girl is captivated by Guy’s music and refuses to let him give up hope, not only convincing him to continue playing his original songs but completely turning his life around. Within one short week, Girl has arranged a band, found a recording studio and funding to pay for it, and filled Guy with freshly renewed hope for the future. They (understandably) begin to fall in love with each other as the musical project progresses, but not enough to overcome their looming responsibilities – Guy to follow his previous love to New York City, Girl to attempt to mend things with her daughter’s father.
 |
| Photo by Dan Norman |
It’s a beautifully written show that exists solely in the gray areas, the spaces in between – a literal pregnant pause or baited breath that tugs slowly at the audience until we are emotionally unraveled like a pool of salted zoodles by the end. The frustration (and genius) of Once lies in the fact that it resists every effort to be made into a predictable romance. As heartbreaking as Guy and Girl’s inability to let themselves fall into a relationship is, it’s nice to see a realistic depiction of relationships and especially of a truly generous love – one that actually considers a person’s needs and best interests, rather than one’s own selfish impulse for happiness – get center stage for once. It doesn’t hurt that the score is hauntingly lovely, an improbably successful blend of Irish folk, hard rock and Czech traditional music that will be stuck in your head for days afterward.
 |
| Photo by Dan Norman |
The first time I saw Ben Bakken in a lead role, in last season’s Five Points (also by Theater Latte Da), I literally said “He needs to be in Once.” How awesome then that he is playing Guy in this production! It’s the main reason I wanted to see the show, honestly, and he doesn’t disappoint. Bakken has just the right raw timbre that sears through you like a knife blade, and he suits Guy’s rough teddy bear persona perfectly. Britta Ollmann is lovely as Girl, and while her voice had a few kinks in the performance I saw, she knits a quiet chemistry with Bakken that makes their love story totally believable. The rest of the ensemble, all of whom play instruments live on stage as they are dancing, provides a strong chorus to back their story up. Reed Sigmund is especially delightful as Girl’s friend Billy, with some welcome comedic relief that keeps Once from getting too emotionally laden.
 |
| Photo by Dan Norman |
The set designed by Michael Hoover is two stories and static, loosely reminiscent of a train station / bridge / pub / natty boardwalk. The star of the show (literally) is a gorgeous projected moon and some strategically placed lightbulbs, which mimic a starry night when lowered from the ceiling. It’s an elegant effect, and one that fully suits the winsome nature of the show. The costumes reflect the characters’ cash-poor status, lived in and comfortable, and Mathew LeFebvre gets them right. The choreography by Kelli Foster Warder is undulating and entrancing, and I was so impressed that the musicians never missed a beat as they two stepped through their songs and played. Grant E. Merges’ lighting is key to the ambiance (especially with the limited props, designed by Abbee Warmboe), and the sound design by Kevin Springer keeps everyone together.
 |
| Photo by Dan Norman |
To be entirely honest, I came into Once knowing I’d already like it (because I love the show’s writing so much). Ben Bakken is a fine anchor for this narrative, and I’m so glad he got the chance to take this part on. The rest of the cast isn’t quite the specific dream team I’d hoped for, but they do a really fine job, and any fans of the show are sure to leave happy with the performance and humming the songs for days on end. If you can’t make it (I’m sure this run will quickly sell out), make sure you check out the 2006 film this is based on – Once is a remarkable story that everyone deserves to experience, at least, well… once. For more information or to buy tickets before Once closes on October 21, click on this link.