WOODBURY — Community Theatre at Woodbury is offering an up-close-and-personal production of the Tony- and Grammy Award-winning musical “Once” at the Old Town Hall through May 18.
This musical version of the motion picture written and directed by John Carney features music and lyrics written by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. The orchestrations are credited to Martin Lowe.
Director Kris Geddes and Music Director Bill Geddes have assembled an impressive cast of singer/actors who can play one or more musical instruments, all of whom appear in their first CTAW performance and do everything required of them beautifully. The director predicts in her program notes that “this love story will get into your head and heart.”
Bill Geddes acknowledged current times have colored much of the cast’s appreciation of what is much more than a love story.
“These immigrants who flocked to Ireland in the early days of the European Union were surely seen but perhaps not appreciated for their culture," he says. "This work tells a much deeper story about compassion and empathy.”
Adam Browne gives a mesmerizing performance as the talented but struggling musician known as “Guy” in the script (“Leave”). Browne calls himself a “lifelong amateur musician” who recently rediscovered his love of the stage. Celina Kestecher is equally convincing as the Czech “Girl,” with a consistent accent and deadpan delivery of her lines. The actress is a graduate of Western Connecticut State University who works as a dance instructor. Alam Zinser is delightfully real in the role of shop owner Billy, a loud and large Irish man.
Bill Geddes is a joy in the role of Guy’s father, “Da.” Maggie Adams steps up gracefully to play the “Ex-Girlfriend,” as well as melodica and some percussion. Bob Carroll is the drummer who plays Girl’s odd roommate, Svec, while Cody Voegeli is the earnest Andrej. Australian-born Seray Goktekin plays the funny, sexy and confident Reza, as well as the violin line in the score.
Bonnie Voegeli plays Girl’s loving mother, Faruska. as well as accordion (courtesy of T.J.Thompson) and guitar, and appreciates the opportunity to share the stage with her son, Cody. Second-grade students Maggie Williams and Georgina Beatty, both in their first theatrical production, share the role of Ivanka, the young daughter of Girl. I got to see the performance of Beatty on opening night and she had lovely familial chemistry with Kestecher.
Multi-instrumentalist Bill Hayden, who works in financial technology by day, does well in the role of a bank manager who coincidentally is a musician. Daria Verelley steps out of the ensemble to play the Emcee for an open mic night and Mike Pulaski plays the music studio manager, Eamon.
The show’s musical director somehow managed to work as the technical director while also taking on a character in the show. Bill Geddes, a retired music teacher, is grateful to be able to collaborate with his wife on “this Once in a lifetime experience.”
My favorite songs in the show remain “Gold,” “When Your Mind’s Made Up” and the well-known “Falling Slowly.” The director works in some spirited choreography at times.
Upon arrival at Old Town Hall, return audience members will notice the theater has been “flipped,” meaning the stage area runs 90 degrees from the elevated stage. The performers work on the same level as the audience sits in folding chairs, and the simple space suggests an Irish pub. Before the show begins, the musicians perform some iconic Irish tunes. The pre-show sets the tone for the show's themes and allows the audience to sing along at times. After a scripted curtain speech carried out by pairs of performers, they take their seats at both sides of the stage. Dennis Walsh operates the lovely lighting.