NY 1 Review Once Around the Sun

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Posted: 8/15/05 at 11:38am

NY 1 Review - Once Around The Sun by Roma Torre

How refreshing to find a new musical in town that is filled with platinum-grade talent and tunes to match. ONCE AROUND THE SUN features music by twin brothers Robert and Steven Morris along with Joe Shane and a book by Kellie Overbey. And while the story concerning the music business is nothing new and even somewhat cliché, ONCE AROUND THE SUN, one of the most engaging new shows of the year, is certainly worth the trip.

Kevin is a struggling musician who plays weddings with his boozing uncle by day and small time clubs with his band mates by night. He's talented but frustrated and even his girlfriend is losing hope. But his big break comes one day when a former pop star offers to sign him to a record contract. The story takes a fairly predictable route and it might even seem uninspired if not for the musical elements, which are that inspired.

It's got the soul of a musical with a heart that breathes to the rhythm of rock. And each song is a gem propelling the story and deepening the characters. The composers exhibit a tremendous range of knowledge of disparate song styles from Led Zeppelin to Frank Sinatra. And while it is all original, the numbers have a catchy familiarity that makes them irresistible. They also have great fun satirizing the American Idol fad storming the nation.

The performers, all tremendously gifted, add dimension to their seemingly stock roles and each is rewarded with a knockout number. Asa Somers as Kevin gets several. This major find sings gorgeously, plays a mean guitar and has fine acting chops ...not to mention those rock star looks. As the diva Nona, Maya Days has a dazzling voice that will bring to mind Mariah Carey. Caren Lyn Manuel as Kevin's girlfriend Skye is also ideally cast. She sings beautifully and radiates warmth. John Hickok turns the embittered uncle, Lane, in to something more than just a villain and nails his big number.

With its mostly rock story and bohemian themes, ONCE AROUND THE SUN will bring to mind Rent and the defunct Brooklyn. But thanks to director Jace Alexander, who's tailored the production so inventively to the tiny Zipper Theatre, the show remains a tuneful original.

Ultimately, ONCE AROUND THE SUN is about the liberating joys of creating music and how thrilling to discover that the music in the show is so joyously liberating itself. It is not perfect, but you will find ONCE AROUND THE SUN entertaining and a very cool diversion on a hot summer night.

The review included many video clips of the cast signing.

First aired Saturday, August 13, 2005 at 9:50 am on "On Stage", repeated: 7:30 pm, Sunday 9:30 am and 7:30 pm; Monday 7:30 pm and 12:30 am