Review: ONCE at Roma Musical Theater

This review would be awkwardly short but it's extremely difficult to put the feeling into words as this performance shows us how powerful the musical experience can be. I loved of course the lyrics, the plot, the characters, but, oh well, the music here is second to none. Period.

And I could end this review here but I'm bursting at the seams to tell you more! The first thing is that the actors are musicians who play instruments. Natalia Krakowiak plays the piano effortlessly (or maybe she just makes it look like it), sings like an angel, and makes tears appear in your eyes.

Pawel Mielewczyk is a visual manifestation of Karin Stanek’s song of Boy With The Guitar and I bet the majority of the audience would not have anything against him proposing to them, just like in the song. But it’s just the beginning!

All the other performers were musicians who played multiple instruments, played dramatic roles, and really had fun! Music and instruments are everywhere like glitter in a creative project and it's a real delight!

My favorite musician/actor is Przemyslaw Redkowski, his energy is like a confetti tornado spinning around the scene. But the whole ensemble is doing an amazing job of drawing us into this musical universe.

If you concentrate on something other than the music that sneaks in from every corner (but good luck with that!), you will be able to appreciate the humor, the movement of the stage, and a little dancing. You might even understand what this show is about, searching for meaning and purpose in life, something as big as happiness, and how brave you must be to fight for it. When written, it may seem cheesy but you have to trust me, I’m telling you this story worse than that of the creators of the show.

What Wojciech Kepczynski, the director, serves us on a musical plate is a well-told story, without sentimentality or moralizing. It's close because it's real. The songs are so calming that listening to them is like watching the full moon on a deserted beach with the gentle sound of the waves.

Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova's brilliant music combined with amazing voices make a show truly remarkable. This show is absolutely brilliant and moving, pure, gentle but energetic, full of strings, keyboards, and fun. I love it!

Photo: Roma Musical Theater

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