REVIEW: Majestic Theater, “Once”

Majestic Theater, West Springfield, MA  

www.majestictheater.com

through
October 19, 2025

by Simon Brighenti

The two-decade plus run of successful theatre experiences at the Majestic continues unabated with the 2025-2026 season opener “Once”.

 

A vibrant mélange of guitars, piano, violins, and fiddles; a mandolin and a cello; with an accordion and a couple of Cajon drums thrown in for good measure sets the scene for a thoroughly enjoyable performance.

 

Photo by Kate Rankins

The story is set in Dublin and much of the music throughout is definitely geographically appropriate for the Emerald Isle. The multi-talented Nick Anastasia and Kate Theis exude a flirtatious chemistry as the two principal characters:“Guy” and “Girl.” Guy is at a point in his musical journey where he is about to abandon his passion and return full time to his Da’s shop to fix vacuums (or “Hoovers” as the cast refers to them in several humorous passages). Girl materializes – in person as a Czech beauty temporarily residing in Ireland or perhaps as the embodiment of his muse – and together they help him rediscover and reignite his passion. Her persistent optimism and deadpan but hilarious wit are infectious and watching his confidence grow in her sunlight is entirely enjoyable.

Helping Guy (and the audience) mull over the ramifications of an artist following his passion(s) is a fully likeable gang of supporting characters. Director James Warwick’s technique of having this dozen or so masters of a range of instruments and vocal techniques remain quietly onstage until their turn to shine rolls around works exceedingly well. It is difficult to keep track of who plays what as they each seem to bring magical sounds from every instrument hanging on the wall or set on the floor of the spare but evocative set.

 

Each performer is a dual threat musician/actor (and at times adds solo or background vocals to their repertoire). Kevin Tracy portrays Billy, a gruff but tenderhearted Dubliner through and through. Patryck Mathieu and Omar Sandakly provide some riotous relief as two Czech roommates who evidently become multilingual via binging an Irish soap opera. Accomplished cellist Hillary Ekwall also shines as a kindred Corkonian spirit whose button-down job belies a passion and talent for playing, singing, and songwriting.

The rest of the cast, including Majestic frequent flyer Michael Devito, collude with the featured performers to bring the story to a musical life worth every accolade and award “Once” has received. “Once” seen is not enough.