Once  at  Burning  Coal  Theatre
Company Is a Must-See Musical

"We'll always have [Dublin]"

Friday's opening-night performance of Once at Burning Coal Theatre Company earned this production (which is directed by Nathalie Ray) a "must-see" rating right away, and it just kept spiraling up. The performance began long before the play actually began. Nine of the 11 actors took the stage; and accompanying themselves on a wide variety of instruments, wowed the audience with 30 minutes of songs.

Director Ray's blocking, Flora Bare's choreography, and Christian L. Stahr's musical direction of this preshow scene, coupled with the barroom setting (designed by Christina Lu), created the feeling that we were actually in an Irish pub enjoying the music, the impromptu dance, and the camaraderie of an actual Irish cèilidh.

The only missing element was ... beer!

Spoiler Alert: This was only the beginning. Ray's direction, Bare's choreography, and Stahr's musical direction make the ensuing production of this play continue to soar higher and higher.

With music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová and book by Enda Walsh, Once (the musical) is based on writer-director John Carney's 2007 Once (the film), which starred Hansard and Irglová as two struggling musicians in Dublin, Ireland.

Once (the musical) opened Off-Broadway in 2011 and in 2012 transferred to Broadway, where it won eight of its 11 2012 Tony Award® nominations, including Best Musical, Best Actor, and Best Book.

Curiously, the two central characters are unnamed (they are identified simply as "Guy" and "Girl"), but every other character does have a name.

Margaret-Ellen Christensen stars as Girl and Dave Keats stars as Guy in Once at Burning Coal Theatre Company (photo by Kevin Lord)

The Play:

The play begins with Guy (played by David Keats) on a Dublin street corner, playing his guitar and singing, "busking" as he performs his doleful song "Leaving." Song finished, he prepares to depart, intending to leave his guitar behind. However, Girl (Margaret-Ellen Christensen) has other ideas. She's also a music lover, and she has been listening. She is impressed, and she engages him in conversation about his songs.

Girl learns that he had written the songs for a girlfriend (herein referred to as "Ex-Girlfriend," who broke up with him and moved to New York). She also learns that the heartbreak precipitated by their break-up is causing him to abandon his music. Again, she has other ideas. She will eventually become so impressed with his music that she will insist that he pursue it as a career.

Guy works for his father at his vacuum-cleaner repair shop. Girl, coincidentally, has a vacuum cleaner in need of repair and offers to pay him "with music" -- by playing piano for him.

Having left the Czech Republic, Girl has immigrated to Ireland, with her mother and daughter, leaving an estranged husband behind. She currently shares an apartment with a handful of other immigrants.

Guy and Girl develop a strong friendship that, unimpeded, could blossom into a romantic love. They are obviously strongly attracted to each other, and they seem to be a perfect fit. But he has the baggage of Ex-Girlfriend, and she has to consider the effects that any of her actions might have on her daughter. How will these impediments figure in?

Will Girl's husband come to Ireland?

Will Guy try to reconnect with Ex-Girlfriend in New York?

In addition to Guy and Girl, we meet a dozen or so other delightful characters and witness their interconnectedness. Interesting subplots abound but do not intrude on the main plot.

Once at Burning Coal Theatre Company stars (from left) River Mann, Emma Caterinicchio, Andrew Crowe, and Tripp Nilles (photo by Kevin Lord)

The Acting:

Like the cast of every show at Burning Coal, these actors interact with precision and with soul. Each performance is from-the-heart. Timing (comic and otherwise) is impeccable. Chemistry in the main plot and in every one of the subplots is always real.

Movement and dance are well-executed. The number of instruments played by this combination orchestra-and-cast is phenomenal. And the singing borders on the ethereal.

Margaret-Ellen Christensen is endearing as the wide-eyed, innocent, optimistic Girl. She never fails in her straight-faced delivery of lines that seem off-the-wall to us. It's easy to see why Guy is so attracted to this character. Christensen's performance is especially impressive in the scene in which Girl and Guy are in conference with the Bank Manager. (Side Note: Christensen's mastery of the piano pieces are especially impressive, because she hadn't been a piano player prior to 2025.)

David Keats also scores high marks as Guy. The character's initial malaise oozes from every pore, and Keats plays Guy's gradual "recovery" with aplomb. It's just as easy to understand why Christensen's Girl falls for Keats' Guy. Keats is quite suited for the role because, as we are given to understand, his vocal- and guitar-skills predate his "adventures in acting."

The rest of the cast, in addition to performing as an ultra-precise ensemble, has created quite an array of supporting characters. Most of them get at least one "spotlight performance," in which each of them shines.

Emma Caterinicchio is a delight as Andrej, especially in the subplot concerning Andrej's career aspirations and expectations.

Andrew Crowe infuses both characters -- Billy and Emcee -- with hard-driving energy. The physicality involved in portraying Billy (and his fiery nature) is especially impressive. As enjoyable as all of the preshow songs were, Crowe's "The Auld Triangle" resonated with me the most.

Equally impressive is Julie Hall Oliver's bubbly portrayal of Baruška (Girl's mother). Stand by for an amazingly animated speech (delivered in Czech), and buckle your seat belt for the translation offered by Girl.

Seoyoung Hu is quite energetic as Réza. Her distinctive vocals fit in perfectly at key points. Hu is amazing in her portrayal of one of the Open Mic acts and also in the "seduce Billy" sequence.

River Mann has nailed the role of Švec, merging aspects of heavy metal, punk, and grunge personalities.

Tripp Nilles' Bank Manager is endearing as he tries to be a bad-assed capitalist but allows himself to be persuaded to grant the loan. Be prepared to be amused by his solo performance of "Abandoned in Bandon." And don't hesitate to follow Nilles' lead during "Finnegan's Wake" -- the preshow music finale.

Essi Sings hits the right notes in her portrayal of Ex-Girlfriend (and the character's attitudes) in both the early scenes and the late scenes.

Mary Brown is loveable as Ivanka. Brown knows how to fit in as both Girl's daughter and Baruška's granddaughter.

Christopher Wood delivers expertly as both Da and Eamon. Wood plays the growth of Da's liking of Girl well and quite believably. Same for Eamon's liking of the music recorded by Guy, Girl, and company.

And a quick tip-of-the-hat to dialect coach Rebecca Bossen for the Dubliner accents of the Irish characters and the Czech accents of Girl and her "team."

Once stars (from left) Margaret-Ellen Christensen as Girl, Dave Keats as Guy, and Julie Hall Oliver as Baruška (photo by Kevin Lord)

The Tech:

Barry Jaked serves as both technical director and master electrician. Christina Lu's set design easily morphs from the pub into a variety of locations. Scenic charge artist Meredith Riggan commands an "army" of assistant stage managers (aided by the cast) who make the changes quickly and methodically. It's impressive that music and dance are always integrated into these changes.

Chris Popowich's lighting design includes a plethora of changes -- some subtle, others dramatic -- as mood and focus shift. Through Julia Rodriguez's costume design, the characters are more distinctly defined. Hair and wigs are handled by Lynda Clark, helping to further define the characters. And Juan Isler's sound design is on-point, as are Carolyn Gaul's props.

Essi Sings stars as Ex-Girlfriend in Once on Oct. 9-26 at Burning Coal Theatre Company (photo by Kevin Lord)

Nice Touches:

• The amazing array of songs in the preshow scene and the "personality" of the performances of each song.
• Guy appearing to say a prayer as he attempts to leave his guitar behind.
• The shoulder bag in which Guy carries his sheet music and Girl swiping a sheet from it.
• Guy's rush to straighten up his room when Girl joins him there.
• Choreography that suggests that Girl is floating-on-air during "If You Want Me."
• Bank Manager's costume change (including a cowboy hat) for "Abandoned in Bandon."
• The variety of the acts in the open-mic scene, the way that these expert actor/musicians impersonate less accomplished musicians.
• The "flavor" given to the open-mic scene by the "incidental" behavior of patrons of that scene's venue.
• The friction between Billy and Bank Manager (a.k.a. "Cork Guy") (and how its vestiges are always there, under the surface)
• The songs reprised at the second act comes to a close, especially the a cappella version of "Gold"

Once on Oct. 9-26 at Burning Coal Theatre Company stars Emma Caterinicchio as Andrej (photo by Kevin Lord)

Memorable Lines:

• "I know you can talk. I just heard you sing."
• "We are people of the world."
• "When I win the lotto, I will buy this piano, and I will sleep with it every night."
• "You are like Mendelssohn, only alive and Irish."
• "I'm always serious. I'm Czech."
• "We're all a bit lonely."
• "She is the ambassador of honesty."
• "You've given me a new me, and I don't know how to thank you."
• "Don't beg me .... Flatter me."
• "You can't walk through life with an unfinished love behind you."

Burning Coal Theatre Company will present Once on Oct. 9-26 in Raleigh's Murphey School Auditorium (photo by Kevin Lord)

Kurt's Quick, Quirky Comments:

• There is thematic relevance in the vacuum-cleaner-repair detail. That is, while having Guy repair her vacuum cleaner that "Does not suck," Girl can help to repair and clean the "vacuum" in his heart caused by the departure of Ex-Girlfriend -- a "vacuum" that actually does "suck."
• Girl's serendipitous appearance almost suggests a "guardian-angel" nature to her role in Guy's life. (Think Clarence Odbody in It's a Wonderful Life.) Does Girl earn any wings?
• Girl is a force of Nature. Does the expression "Nature abhors a vacuum" somehow figure in?
• There are more than a few ends that appear "loose," but one gets the impression that, no matter where everything "goes," the lives of every character will be improved as a result of their interactions.

Burning Coal Theatre Company's Oct. 9-26 rendition of Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, and Enda Walsh's Once stars (from
left) Margaret-Ellen Christensen as Girl, Tripp Nilles as Bank Manager, and Dave Keats as Guy (photo by Kevin Lord)

From the Department of Picky-Picky:

This one is tongue-in-cheek. When a catalogue of Irish artists is listed (culminating with Van Morrison) I wish they had included Shane MacGowan.

Burning Coal Theatre Company will present Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, and Enda Walsh's Once on Oct. 9-26 (photo by Kevin Lord)

The Bottom Line:

As stated above: this is a "must see" play! Be aware, however, that this is a one-of-a-kind piece of musical theater. Refreshingly, there is nothing formulaic about it. Magical? Yes! And you have to see it to believe it.

Opening night was a near sell-out, and deservedly so. The rest of the first weekend is also sold out, as is the Oct. 19th performance.

All the Cool People strongly suggest that you make reservations ASAP!

"Here's looking at you, kid!"

Once at Burning Coal stars (from left) Andrew Crowe, Julie Oliver, Christopher Wood, Tripp Nilles, and Essi Sings (photo by Kevin Lord)

Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, and Enda Walsh's ONCE (In Person at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, 12, 16-19, and 23-26), directed by Nathalie Ray, choreographed by Flora Bare, with musical director Christian L. Stahr, and starring David Keats as Guy, Margaret-Ellen Christensen as Girl, Emma Caterinicchio as Andrej, Seoyoung Hu as Réza, Christopher Wood as Da/Eamon, Julie Hall Oliver as Baruška, River Mann as Švec, Mary Brown as Ivanka, Tripp Nilles as Bank Manager, Essi Sings as Ex-Girlfriend, and Andrew Crowe as Billy/Emcee (Burning Coal Theatre Company in the Murphey School Auditorium in Raleigh). STUDY GUIDE: https://www.canva.com/. PRESENTER: https://burningcoal.org/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/burning-coal-theatre-co/, https://www.facebook.com/burningcoaltheatrecompany, https://www.instagram.com/burningcoaltc/, https://www.tiktok.com/@burningcoaltc, https://x.com/burningcoaltc, and https://www.youtube.com/@BurningCoaltc. PODCASTS: https://burningcoal.podbean.com/. 2025-26 MAINSTAGE SEASON: https://burningcoal.org/season-29/. VENUE: https://burningcoal.org/plan-your-visit/ and https://burningcoal.org/history-of-the-murphey-school/. DIRECTIONS/PARKING: https://burningcoal.org/plan-your-visit/. ACCESSIBILITY: https://burningcoal.org/accessibility/. ONCE (2007 romantic movie musical): https://www.searchlightpictures.com/once/, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0907657/, https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/661309/once#overview, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_(film). ONCE (2011 Off-Broadway, 2012 Broadway, and 2013 West End and Dublin musical): https://www.mtishows.com/once, https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-show/once-491351, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Once_(musical). THE SCRIPT (excerpts): https://books.google.com/books. GLEN HANSARD (Ballymun, Dublin, Ireland-born composer and lyricist, nee Glen James Hansard): https://glenhansard.com/, https://www.mtishows.com/people/glen-hansard, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0360598/, https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/glen-hansard-491364, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glen_Hansard. MARKÉTA IRGLOVÁ (Valašské Meziříčí, Czechoslovakia-born composer and lyricist): http://marketairglovamusic.com/, https://www.mtishows.com/people/marketa-irglova, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2461627/, https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/markta-irglov-491365, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark%C3%A9ta_Irglov%C3%A1. ENDA WALSH (Dublin, Ireland-born playwright and screenwriter): https://www.mtishows.com/people/enda-walsh, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2461627/, https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/enda-walsh-491366, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enda_Walsh. CONTENT ADVISORY: Burning Coal cautions that this show includes "Moderate Profanity" and is "Appropriate for audiences 13+." TICKETS: $30 ($5 students 18 and under; $20 students, educators, and active-duty military personnel; and $25 seniors 65+), plus taxes and fees. Click here to buy tickets. INFORMATION: 919-834-4001 or info@burningcoal.org. PLEASE DONATE TO: Burning Coal Theatre Company.

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