BWW Interviews: Erica Swindell Talks ONCE

Erica Swindell in ONCE, the Broadway hit, winner of 8, 2012 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL also features an impressive ensemble cast of actor/musicians who play their own instruments onstage. ONCE tells the enchanting tale of a Dublin street musician who's about to give up on his dream. Emotionally captivating and theatrically breathtaking, ONCE draws you in from the very first note and never lets go.

Presented by Blumenthal Performing Arts at Belk Theater, September 30 - October 5, 2014. Tickets are on sale at Blumenthal Performing Arts Box Office: 704-372-1000 and BlumenthalArts.org.

Erica was in Nashville getting ready to go onstage when I caught up with her.

LAW: Where are you now?

ES: We are in Nashville.

LAW: How long have you be on the road?

ES: One year. I'll be on the road until next fall.

LAW: Wow, who takes care of your pets?

ES: Luckily, I don't have a dog.

LAW: Have you ever been to Charlotte?

ES: No not yet, but I'm really excited to visit Charlotte.

LAW: Where did you grow up?

ES: Amarillo, Texas.

LAW: What was it like growing up there?

ES: It's a great place. My favorite thing to do when I'm there is drive to the canyon and watch the sunset.

LAW: What was your first love, singing or dancing?

ES: I love it all, but my first love was playing the violin at 3 years old.

LAW: That was young.

ES: Yes, I couldn't have had better parents. They made sure they provided me with interests and lessons. I went to a great private school. I took dancing lessons and singing lessons. I was blessed to have them.

LAW: Tell me about your character in ONCE.

ES: I play Réza. She's the friend. I understudied Réza and I also played the ex-girlfriend. I have the Irish to Czech perspective in the play. We all play instruments in the show. I play the violin.

LAW: How long have you been acting?

ES: Since middle school. I went to New York Marymont College in 2004. I performed in the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival in "Much Ado About Nothing."

LAW: What was the most memorable experience in your profession?

ES: The night I made my debut with the original cast of ONCE. They were all wonderful. They allowed me to have my own bow. They were kind. It was such a great gesture. I hope I can pay that forward to a new performer in the future.

LAW: What was the worst experience you've had?

ES: [Laughs] Honestly when I think about it,... it's not being able to find produce when I'm on the road. I need to eat fruit and vegetables.

LAW: How did you get cast in ONCE?

ES: 'Right place at the right time. A friend put in a good word for me. They needed an actor/musician. I brought my violin. I had five callbacks in one day. The next week I was on Broadway.

LAW: How do you prepare before a show?

ES: I like to relax with music playing in my dressing room and have "girl talk." I like to talk to the other actresses in the show, as we are getting ready.

LAW: What can people expect when they come to see this show?

ES: People will be moved in unexpected ways. It's every man's story. It's love in all of its embodiments, romance, friendship, family and there's music, great music. The audience is invited onstage. Our set is a bar and it's a real bar for the [Belk] theater guests.

LAW: Anything else you'd like to mention?

ES: Yes, I'm as happy as a clam!

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