Once cast are also the musical’s on-stage orchestra
Naples’ TheatreZone kicks off its 20th season on January 9 with its production of Once, the 2012 Tony Award-winning Best Musical. The musical is a romance set in Ireland with a multi-talented cast who are also the show’s on-stage orchestra.
Once, based on the 2007 film of the same name written and directed by John Carney, won eight Tony Awards and features an acclaimed score by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. The Broadway cast album won a Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album.
Once tells the poignant story of Guy (Cody Craven on guitar), a Dublin street performer, guitarist and songwriter, and Girl (Lexi Rae Smith on piano), a young Czech woman who appreciates Guy’s talent and helps promote his career. Her encouragement lifts his spirits when he considers quitting music to work in his father’s vacuum cleaner repair shop. The couple develop feelings for one another and their tentative romance faces complications that will keep audiences in suspense, hoping for a happy ending.
The musical will be directed by Mark Danni, founding artistic director of TheatreZone, choreographed by TheatreZone’s associate artistic director Karen Molnar Danni, with music direction by Charles Fornara.
The score of Once is characterized by fast-paced, jubilant Irish rhythms combined with lush, soulful ballads. The 12-person cast play guitar, violin, ukulele, cello, mandolin, bass, accordion, and drums. The score builds during the show from piano and guitar to a full orchestra.
“I have always loved the music and story to Once ever since I saw it on Broadway,” said Mark Danni. “I knew it would be a wonderful musical for TheatreZone’s stage and we have an amazing cast of actor/musicians.”
Meet the Cast
Cody Craven
Cody Craven is making his TheatreZone debut with his role as Guy in Once. The California-based performer, actor and musician has done the show so many times, he’s jokingly referred to as “Mr. Once,”; the TheatreZone production will be his sixth performance in the musical. He commented, “Once is closer to my heart than any show, and I would happily do it for the rest of my life.” Craven has also played several roles in Million Dollar Quartet, most recently in Indianapolis where he learned from fellow actors about TheatreZone’s upcoming production of Once and their praise for TheatreZone’s intimate setting. “The small space will really accentuate the subtle and intimate details of the story,” he said. Like his character, Craven plays multiple string instruments as well as drums. The self-taught musician was playing mandolin at four years old. An actor-musician by trade (his father is international folk musician Joe Craven), he now plays and writes music with his band in New York City and other regional venues. He has also been seen performing at sea for cruise lines including Norwegian, Oceania and Disney.
Lexi Rae Smith
Lexi Rae Smith is making her TheatreZone debut in Once in the starring role of Girl. The Chicago native is a professional actress, singer and dancer based in Ft. Myers who earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Penn. Smith has had Once on her radar for a long time after seeing the movie and studying the show in college. In her TheatreZone role, she speaks English with a Czech accent, using her facility with dialects, which she studied in college and continues to pursue with IPA (the International Phonetic Alphabet). About Girl, Smith commented, “She has a strong sense of self and sees the best in everyone. She is a young mother, which enhances her sense of empathy for the heartbroken Guy and which drives her to encourage him to write songs and record.” Once, she added, “…examines the different stages of love. It is made of small moments that don’t always last a lifetime, which is why it’s called Once.”
Once Performance Schedule
Once performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from Thursday, January 9 through Sunday, January 12 and from Thursday, January 16 through Sunday, January 19. Matinee performances are at 2 pm. on Saturdays and Sundays, January 11, 12, 18 and 19.
Talkback after the January 16 show
After the final curtain call on the evening of Thursday, January 16, the audience can settle back in their seats for a talkback, an opportunity to meet the show’s cast and directors for candid and casual Q&As. The talkback is offered at no additional charge and separate tickets are not required. The audience can enjoy the talkback with refreshments from the honor bar.
Reviews
Charles Ben Brantley wrote in The New York Times, “The songs … soar with rough-edged, sweet-and-sad ambivalence that is seldom visited in contemporary American musicals.” In his London Theatre Guide review of the West End production, Peter Brown wrote, “Almost from the first note, you realize you are listening to music that is extraordinarily distinctive, powerfully emotional, and hugely affecting – in a word … stunning.”
ABOUT THEATREZONE
TheatreZone, celebrating its 20th season in 2025, presents its musical performances in the intimate 250-seat G&L Theatre conveniently located in Naples at 13275 Livingston Road, between Pine Ridge and Vanderbilt Beach Roads, in a dedicated building nestled within the campus of the Community School of Naples.
TheatreZone’s contract with the Actors’ Equity Association ensures access to the best actors, singers, dancers, musicians, and stage management professionals from throughout the country. The nonprofit, 501(c)(3) was established in 2005 by Founding Artistic Director Mark Danni and Associate Artistic Director and choreographer Karen Molnar Danni, who have both enjoyed successful careers on Broadway and Off-Broadway.
To book tickets, visit www.Theatre.Zone or call the box office at 888-966-3352, ext. 1.