A Spiritual Experience

Once – Paramount Theatre

 

It’s simple perfection. There’s nothing more to be said about Paramount Theatre’s current version of 2012’s eight time Tony Award-winning musical, based on the 2007 film of the same name. With a book by award-winning Irish playwright Enda Walsh and music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, the same team that created the film’s lovely musical score (including the Oscar-winning song “Falling Slowly”), this play is quite simply a theatrical valentine. It celebrates the power of music and the purity of love between all kinds of people. Just as smart and heartbreakingly gorgeous as the original Broadway production, this production in Aurora demands to be experienced. 

In Dublin, Guy, an aspiring, young Irish songwriter, who’s on the verge of throwing in the towel and walking away from his music, his dreams and possibly his life, fortuitously encounters the musically appreciative young Czech known simply as, Girl. Just as he’s playing what might be his last composition she strikes up a conversation with him. She invites Guy to join her at her friend Billy’s music store, where she repays him for repairing her vacuum cleaner by playing some Mendelssohn on the store’s piano. She urges Guy to play more of his compositions and then, impressed and moved by his music, encourages him to not only continue playing and composing but to record a demo CD to be sent to America. A deep love develops between the two that is so real, so transcendent that it touches every single audience member. 

Side stories emerge involving Baruska, the girl’s mother; Ivanka, her charming, 8-year old daughter (sweetly created by lovely Everleigh Murphy); young, career ambitious Andrej, as well as the other Czech expat family members and friends sharing her life. We get to know and love Guy’s father, Da; Billy, the eccentric and comical music store owner; the Bank Manager, a fellow musician, who provides backing for the recording session; and as all of the tiny community of Irish musicians who support Guy and are deftly woven throughout this love story. 

This is a down-to-earth, unpretentious musical whose spectacle comes from its honesty and simplicity. Much of the production’s beauty comes, not only from the show’s soulful music, but in truthful looks and meaningful silences. Director Jim Corti has guided his talented cast to live in these moments and has staged his production so wisely, especially during the scenic transitions. Talented Musical Director, Tom Vendafreddo, has once again led his gifted cast to unbelievable brilliance. William Carlos Angulo’s inventive, organically-created choreography serves to heighten the emotional drama of the production. And certainly Hansard and Irglova’s gorgeous score, filled with its robust Irish and Czechoslovakian folk music and plaintive, melancholy love songs, is entirely wonderful. Set within and above Jeffrey D. Kmiec’s authentically designed Irish pub, the musical plays out like a group of instrumentalists who meld into storytellers, all gathering together to share a tale of love’s angst.

Fresh off the National Tour of “Once,” Barry DeBois is perfect as Guy. Revisiting this story with a new group of storytellers, this handsome actor/singer, who’s also a firebrand on the guitar, steps into the leading role in Paramount’s production. Mr. DeBois’ expressive face says everything that his music and dialogue forgets, particularly in one quiet scene during which he and the Girl share a few moments, while overlooking their city of Dublin. Tiffany Topol, who was also a member of the First National Tour, as well as appearing in Northlight Theatre’s production of “Shining Lives,” is stunningly magnificent. She and Mr. DeBois have developed a strong chemistry together in this production. Ms. Topol’s musicality as a singer and pianist is unquestionable; as a comic actress, she garners most of the show’s laughs with her dry, deadpan delivery. 

The rest of the cast is equally terrific: Larry Tobias’ empathetic Da (masterful on the mandolin); Jeanne T. Arrigo’s feisty, loving, accordion-wielding Baruska; Nik Kmiecik’s effervescent, soulful Andrej; Jon Patrick Penick’s touchingly funny, unabashedly-honest Billy; and Alex E. Hardaway’s kind, but touchingly insecure Bank Manager provides the play with extra heart. And while every single member of this ensemble is a terrific and accomplished musician and vocalist, Cassidy Stirtz stands out as Reza, Jenn Chandler is lovely and winsome as Guy’s Ex-Girlfriend and Grant Alan Watkins is a stand out as wacky and whimsical Svec.

This glorious Chicago production is playing through early June. Theatergoers who haven’t seen it, should not miss this polished, artistic and heartbreaking presentation. Audiences who’ve seen this show only one time should know that it gets even better on a second (or third) viewing. The production strips away the unnecessary gimmicks and special effects, often found in musicals these days, confidently relying on its character-driven story to provide all the magic. This is, indeed, a “Once” in a lifetime theatrical pleasure that will leave audiences “Falling Slowly,” reminding them how honest, straightforward storytelling can become a spiritual experience.  

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

 

Presented April 25-June 3 by Paramount Theater, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora, IL.

Tickets are available at the box office, by calling 630-896-6666 or by going to www.paramountaurora.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.