The cast of \u201cOnce\u201d found all the right elements falling into place for their production, set to open Friday at The Greenhouse Cabaret.<\/a><\/p>\n Although 16 years had passed since creators Glen Hansard and Mark\u00e9ta Irglov\u00e1, who starred in the 2007 film \u201cOnce\u201d and composed and performed its original songs, had made a record together, it just so happened that the musicians were on tour in Portland last month for \u201cForward,\u201d their new record released in July.<\/p>\n The Greenhouse Cabaret cast attended the concert by Hansard and Irglov\u00e1\u2019s band, The Swell Season, at Portland\u2019s Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall last month, where the performers had been tipped off that the Bend cast was in the audience. The musicians invited the cast up on stage to join them in song.<\/p>\n \u201cMy heart was pounding. I\u2019ve never felt adrenaline like that,\u201d said Beverly Anderson, who is Girl, one of the leads in the upcoming production. \u201cObviously, nerves were running high; it was shaky, but it was an experience that I will hold dearly to my heart forever.\u201d<\/p>\n After performing on stage, the actors were invited backstage where they chatted for hours, gleaning a deeper understanding of how the characters were created and where the inspiration for the songs came from, said John Kish, the show\u2019s co-director and producer.<\/p>\n The Greenhouse Cabaret cast of \u201cOnce\u201d poses with creators of the original songs and actors of the 2007 film \u201cOnce,\u201d Glen Hansard and Mark\u00e9ta Irglov\u00e1, at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland. (Submitted photo)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n It was an extraordinary experience for Will Graziano, who plays the other lead as Guy.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve looked up to both of them for years and years, so it is a total full stop moment,\u201d he said. \u201cThese Oscar-winning musicians, they were so genuine and generous, so that was a really cool experience. Then they gave us words of wisdom to do the show and they also thanked us for continuing the legacy of the show.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition to gaining a deeper understanding of his character, Graziano learned more practical tips from Irglov\u00e1, such as the tradition of Guy wearing red socks.<\/p>\n The role of Guy is a dream come true for Graziano, who traveled from Los Angeles to Bend last year to audition for the part.<\/p>\n He represents the first contract with a member of the Actors\u2019 Equity Association union, thereby qualifying the Greenhouse Cabaret as a professional theater and earning it rights to a greater number of productions.<\/p>\n The musical is the third mainstage production of The Greenhouse Cabaret\u2019s \u201cSeason of Humanity,\u201d chosen for its simple, poignant story. It\u2019s atypical in the sense that there is no orchestra pit. The 12 actors are also instrumentalists, singers and dancers carrying the show forward.<\/p>\n Members of the 12-person cast of \u201cOnce,\u201d opening Friday at The Greenhouse Cabaret in Bend. (Courtesy Joy Reneke Photography)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never done a show quite like this where not only am I acting, I\u2019m doing an Irish dialect and I\u2019m playing guitar and I\u2019m singing,\u201d Graziano said. \u201cIt\u2019s really demanding, but it\u2019s been really fulfilling for all of us, too.\u201d<\/p>\n For Anderson, a vocalist and keyboardist, it\u2019s a merging of her worlds.<\/p>\n \u201cTo be able to play piano, sing and act \u2014 it\u2019s honestly one of my dreams,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Anderson has also appeared as Audrey in \u201cLittle Shop of Horrors\u201d and in \u201cThe Wolves\u201d in past productions by The Greenhouse Cabaret.<\/p>\n The musical, known for its Academy Award-winning track, \u201cFalling Slowly,\u201d was nominated for 11 Tony Awards in 2012 and won eight, including Best Musical, Best Actor and Best Book.<\/p>\n The powerful, folk-infused score is raw and resonant, offering connection through its captivating story about Guy, a Dublin street musician on the verge of giving up his dreams, until he meets Girl, who inspires him to write and record his music.<\/p>\n Graziano said the show speaks to him because of its message of leaning on others during dark times and taking risks in the face of fear.<\/p>\n \u201cOverall, I think it\u2019s a beautiful show that I hope audiences will feel healed by,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce\u201d will run for 18 shows and is co-directed by Kish and Richard Choate and musically directed by Natalie True.<\/p>\nQuadruple threat<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nRaw and resonant<\/h3>\n
\u2018The Haunting of Hill House\u2019<\/h3>\n
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