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3D THEATRICALS CERRITOS ONCE REVIEW - Table To Stage

WALKING ON MOONBEAMS CAN BE A BREEZE

Certain shows lend themselves to intimacy; ONCE is one of them.  3D Theatricals’ current production in Cerritos is the second time I have celebrated its joys after first encountering another thrilling performance at Lamb’s Players in Coronado. Both theatres led Southern California audience members to Ireland on the wings of a complicated, yet vital love story and they accomplished the feat up close and personal. The magnificent confines of this particular version transforms the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts into a new configuration, allowing for an in-the-round presentation (regulars are sure to thank their lucky stars for this gift).

Sipping on one’s Guinness (even if only in spirit) , first all are treated to a pre-show display of the company’s considerable musical talents as they embody triple threat talent (even quadruple status for that matter) on a succession of Irish tunes leading the way to Dublin, sharing the estimable Irish folk legacy.  You see…these actors, singers, dancers and musicians might be found contributing to the Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova score on guitar, mandolin, violin, cello, melodica, accordion, ukulele or bass. Certainly there are drums as well, along with percussion elements. Finally, of course, the piano seals the deal. Mighty impressive!

Imagine the casting challenges facing T.J. Dawson’s assembled professionals. In short, how do the Director Kari Hayter, the Music Director David Lamoureux with a boost from Andy Taylor and the Choreographer Linda Love Simmons, all assisted by Casting Director Amber Snead, manage to find a cast that can credibly interpret characters, sing the songs effectively, contribute to the movement and dance elements on occasion while at the same time play the required musical instruments?  All of these stage veterans need to reflect a professional sheen as well. Obviously, the members of the creative team land in touchdown territory (it is football season, after all).

Broadway standout Scott Waara (“Da”) sets the stage for the journey charted in the book penned by Edna Walsh with his plaintive rendition of an Irish folk song commenting on the vagaries of love. Then the audience encounters a disenchanted 30-something Tom Frank (“Guy”), suffering the wounds from a romance gone awry, armed with his guitar and passionately expressing that hurt in the moment. Soon all get a peek at his desperate circumstances as a vacuum cleaner repairman, ready to abandon his songwriting prowess while sinking into an abyss of despair.

Enter Aurora Florence (“Girl”) a Czech dynamo who exudes quirkiness while immediately intruding on the apparent darkness.  She’s got a vacuum that “does not suck” and insists on a rather unorthodox deal: she’ll play piano for him and he will fix her “Hoover”. She snatches one of his original compositions from his hand, sensitively plays it on piano as both of them join in the singing of “Falling Slowly”, a roadmap for the journey both of them will follow throughout the show.

Kari Hayter, a force on the West Coast directing scene, once again demonstrates her ability to elicit towering performances from her lead players (N.B. both Tom Frank and Aurora Florence give often astonishing performances) while at the same time creating an inventive landscape for this extraordinary ensemble of thirteen to shine. All the while the highly accomplished music directors dazzle with their own musicianship, concurrently performing themselves among the players (i.e. the aforementioned David Coe Lamoureux (“Svec”) and Andy Taylor (“Bank Manager”)).  The effect of all of these distinctive musicians bringing the score to life cannot be underestimated for its impact on the Irish experience in store for all of us.  

Other players integral to the achievement include the following: Quinn Copeland (“Ivanka”), Andrew Huber (“Andrej”), Cynthia Marty (“Baruska”), Chuck McClane (“Billy”) and Leota Rhodes (“Ex-Girlfriend”).  Also, Erich Schroeder (“Emcee”), Cameron Tagge (“Eamon”) and Katherine Washington (“Reza”). Even though all of the actors mentioned previously sometimes capture the spotlight with a specific character, it is their accomplishment in toto which results in the indelible experience for the audience in support of the central guy/girl story at the core of ONCE.

On leaving Cerritos, this critic feels richer for this experience. All of us at times are conflicted  with uncertainty about our path forward. Many struggle with the twists and turns as we live and learn.  Looking out over the bluffs in Dublin, these two explore the possibilities of their love under the watchful gaze of the moon.  Regardless of the exigencies of their connection, they inspire us to seize the moment and let the bounty of love prosper and endure.

ONCE beckons and promises to be grand.  Partake.

 

 

Theatre Curtain Calling… Reviewing the Situation

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