The complicated love story in “Once” kicks off the KCRep’s 2024 to 2025 season on Sept. 4 in the Spencer Theater. The heartfelt and intimate musical, playing until Sept. 22, explores personal growth and change through music.
Based on the 2007 indie film, the play combines elements of music and love to create a piece of theater that audiences can connect deeply with.
The show is set in Dublin, Ireland, where an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant become drawn to each other through their shared love of music. Set over the course of a week, it shows how much can happen in such a short amount of time.
Many people involved in the show said they felt a deep connection to the roles they were playing, whether acting or helping to direct.
“Throughout the process, I keep an eye on the pacing of the dialogue, the emotional journey of each scene, and any technical aspects that need attention,” said Jana Latchaw, associate director of “Once” at KCRep.
She and director Stuart Carden worked together to make sure both the rehearsal and the show process ran well.
“The rehearsal process was really very smooth,” said Latchaw. “Stuart does a phenomenal job of creating a collaborative atmosphere where people feel safe to be vulnerable and explore new ideas.”
From an actors perspective, the rehearsal process can sometimes differ from the director’s, but not for this show.
“It’s [rehearsal] been lovely, it’s a great group of people,” said Dan Weschler, music director and actor playing Billy, the supporting comedic role. “Everyone came in very prepared, and there’s a real easy camaraderie that fell into place.”
The directors and the actors described the show as being magical and meaningful, and in many ways is very different from a traditional musical or play.
“The style of the show is pretty unique,” said Latchaw. “Some would say it’s more of ‘a play with music’—with a focus on raw, emotional storytelling rather than a big grand spectacle, and the actors play their own instruments.”
“One challenge was that all the music was played by the actors,” said Weschler. “There was a lot of discovering who can be available for what task, including moving set pieces around and playing the songs in the transitions.”
Audiences should expect good things from this show. They may leave with a tear in their eye or have found that they learned something about themselves.
“I’m hopeful that audience members will leave with a deeper appreciation for how music can express complex emotions, forge connections between people, and serve as a catalyst for change and personal growth,” said Latchaw.
Students can buy tickets for a discounted price an hour before a show for $20 or register for TeenTix, which gives $5 tickets to teens aged 13-19.
To stay connected with KCRep, follow them on Instagram.
