‘Once’ every so often, a show as good as this

By Cantor Sheldon Merel

CORONADO, California — Last night I was at an Irish Pub in Dublin, (although in the heart of Coronado.). “Come early before show time to catch the music and have a drink at the bar,” the woman at the Box Office advised. So, after dinner, sure enough , as my friend and I sauntered into the theatre, instrumentalists were dancing, and singing familiar Irish folk songs. One man from the audience got up and danced an Irish Jig. The live bar was in front of what was the usual stage, and the entire show was performed on the main floor, at the same level as the front row of seats.

The rousing singing continued while people walked up the steep stairs to take their seats in an almost Arena-like theater filled with over 300 people. At 7.30, without missing a musical beat, the play began to unfold..

A thirty-something Dublin guitarist (identified only as “Guy”) sang a heartfelt ballad in the Pub about his girl friend, who had broken up with him, and moved to New York City. Feeling very sad, he turned to leave, but a young Czech woman in the Pub, approached him with compliments on his song, and expressed interest in knowing more about him. After learning that Guy works in his father’s vacuum repair shop,  she asks him to repair her Hoover vacuum cleaner

At the shop, the attraction between them grew . She is also a song writer, singer and pianist, and they start to collaborate with their music. Recognizing Guy’s talent, she helps raise money for him to make an audition record to take to New York and break into show business. Love begins to bloom between them. Guy’s father finances his son’s flight to New York, and Guy is set to go. Smitten however with this Czech girl, (her accent included ), he asks her to go to New York with him. Obviously in love with Guy, she reveals that she is separated from her husband, has a young daughter and, cannot leave .

Perhaps a sad ending , but a touching story that brought the audience to their feet for a standing ovation. Everyone was moved with the musical Once and its touching story of unrequited love, longing, and how one woman helped an artist reach for his dream. Constantly interwoven throughout the show were wonderful catchy songs , hearty repartee, and smooth choreography performed by multi-talented musicians, who not only sing, play guitars, violins, cello, piano, and drums, and dance, but are integral actors in the show.

At times, instruments drowned out some words of the songs in the live hall, but the narrative was so strong that the essence of the story was never lost. Two special moments in the show stood out for me: one of Girl’s solos, accompanied only with cello and violin, and the other when the entire cast put down their instruments and sang a cappella. This change of musical pace was a touch of genius that brought a balance of music to the evening.
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Special Kudos for outstanding performances by Michael Louis Cusimano (Guy) , and especially, Caity Grady (Girl). Thanks also to Glen Hansard and Marketa Inglova for outstanding music and lyrics, and very clever staging by Kerry Meads, and book by Enda Walsh

The hit musical, Once made its Off-Broadway debut in New York City on 6 December 2011, and has since played in cities across North America, Australia and South Korea. Its successful run will be extended at Lamb’s. Theatre through August 12th. Go for it , and I’m confident you and your friends will also give the cast a standing ovation.

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Merel is cantor emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel.