Special Episode: Swindell, Gerhard on why ‘Once’ is a holiday show

Summary

BroadwayRadio Special Episode Summary: Erica Swindell and Jack Wesley Gerhardt on Why ‘Once’ is a Holiday Show

Introduction

In this special episode of BroadwayRadio, host Matt Tammini engages in an insightful conversation with Erica Swindell and Jack Wesley Gerhardt, the stars of the upcoming production of Once at the Malta Jupiter Theater in Jupiter, Florida. Running from December 3rd through December 15th, 2024, this production offers a unique twist by positioning Once as a holiday show. Both Erica and Jack bring a wealth of experience to the table, having participated in various iterations of the show previously, although never together until now.

‘Once’ as a Holiday Show

Matt Tammini opens the discussion by addressing why Once, not traditionally recognized as a holiday show, is an excellent choice for the festive season. He poses the question of why audiences seeking a holiday vibe should consider attending Once amid the plethora of traditional Christmas productions.

Erica Swindell responds thoughtfully, emphasizing the show's exploration of holiday themes like togetherness and family. At [01:51], she states:

“I think, honestly, if you think about holiday togetherness and family and how that closeness makes you feel, I think that this show explores that in kind of unconventional ways. And by the end of it, it makes you incredibly grateful for the people that you have in your life.”

Jack Wesley Gerhardt echoes this sentiment, highlighting the musical aspect of the show. At [02:19], he adds:

“This show is all about the music. So if you're... you can get that same feeling that you get with your traditional Christmas songs that you're used to, but it's just a different soundtrack, but it has the same feeling of people coming together and making music and singing.”

Leveraging Past Experiences for a Fresh Production

Both Erica and Jack have extensive histories with Once, having participated in various productions—including the original Broadway run and multiple national tours. Matt inquires about how their past experiences inform their current performance, especially with new collaborators and a different director.

Jack reflects on his journey, noting a personal transformation over the years. At [03:03], he shares:

“I've been going through a bit of a shedding process because I did the show in two different types of cast and in, you know, three different roles. And so it's kind of a lot of years of things that are in my memory bank.”

He emphasizes the importance of staying present and open to new interpretations under director Mark’s guidance:

“We just have to listen to each other and really be in the moment and allow, you know, know that what was is still there, but it's more interesting to figure out what is.”

Erica adds that the strength of the material allows for rediscovery and collaboration with a new cast:

“Finding that the material is so strong that it really allows you to... If you're in it, if you're. If you're breathing it, you know, every day. It's so much fun to rediscover with a new cast and new people.”

The Cast as a Band: Building Musical Cohesion

A pivotal discussion centers on the necessity for the cast to function cohesively as a band, ensuring the musical integrity of the show. Matt probes into how combining musical and theatrical elements enhances the production.

Jack explains the importance of musical unity, stating at [06:12]:

“This show doesn't work if the entire cast isn't playing together as if they're a band. Because when you play in a band, you listen more and it's not about what you're playing, it's about the entire sound in the room.”

Erica concurs, praising the musicians' proficiency:

“All the musicians, actors that they hired are so good at their instruments, except for one.”

Collaboration and Artistic Comparisons

In a playful exchange, Matt asks Erica to compare Jack to Don Henley, leading to humorous banter. Erica gleefully responds:

“They've been calling me the Don Henley of South Florida.”

Jack humbly declines the comparison, appreciating the unique collaboration they share:

“I'm going to respectfully decline to pick one.”

This moment underscores the mutual respect and camaraderie between the cast members.

Working with the Music Director

The role of the music director, Maggie Hollenbeck, is highlighted as crucial to maintaining the show's musical authenticity. Jack expresses gratitude for Maggie's expertise and her ability to bridge past and present musical interpretations:

“She knows what was and is able to get as close to that as we can while also being honoring the people that are playing the roles now.”

Personal Growth and Artistic Expansion

Both Erica and Jack discuss how Once allows them to explore facets of their artistry beyond their day-to-day roles. Erica reflects on the show's unique blend of acting and music, which aligns with her diverse talents:

“Everything you like to do as a performer, you just get to do in this show.”

Jack shares his passion for integrating acting and musicianship, finding Once to be a rare and magical experience:

“There is nothing quite so full as being able to do all of the things that I love to do all at once.”

Rehearsals and Camaraderie

The camaraderie among the cast during rehearsals is portrayed as a blend of professionalism and fun. Jack describes the rehearsal process as akin to an "adult summer camp," fostering a sense of family and friendship:

“It's very fun. You know, we're all kind of around the same age, which is really fun. And I don't know, it's kind of like a little reunion.”

Personal Insights and Florida Experiences

The conversation shifts to personal experiences, with both actors sharing their affinity for performing in Florida during the milder months. Erica humorously mentions her reluctance to try parasailing, while Jack enjoys the relaxed environment:

“Where we are in January and November, December is fantastic. I mean, look at it outside right now where I'm from. So that's nice.”

Favorite Moments and Final Thoughts

As the discussion wraps up, both Erica and Jack express excitement and appreciation for the show's intimate musical moments. Erica encourages audiences to arrive early to experience the pre-show Irish trad session:

“Make sure you show up a good 25 minutes early. There is a real Irish trad session... that's probably my favorite moment.”

Jack adds his admiration for the performers, particularly highlighting the portrayal of David Luckman:

“The guy who plays David... he crushes. It’s incredible.”

Conclusion

Matt concludes the interview by expressing his eagerness to see the production and wishes both Erica and Jack a successful run. The episode encapsulates the heart and soul that Erica and Jack bring to Once, emphasizing its unique position as a holiday show that celebrates togetherness through music and storytelling.

Key Takeaways:

• Once offers a heartfelt exploration of holiday themes through music and narrative.
• The cast’s ability to function cohesively as a band is fundamental to the show's success.
• Past experiences with Once enrich the current production, allowing for fresh perspectives.
• Strong collaboration and mutual respect among cast members enhance the overall performance.
• The production provides a platform for artistic growth, blending acting and musicianship seamlessly.

Notable Quotes:

• Erica Swindell [01:51]: “This show explores [holiday togetherness] in unconventional ways... makes you incredibly grateful for the people that you have in your life.”
• Jack Wesley Gerhardt [02:19]: “It has the same feeling of people coming together and making music and singing.”
• Erica Swindell [03:58]: “The material is so strong that it really allows you to rediscover with a new cast and new people.”
• Jack Wesley Gerhardt [06:12]: “The entire cast isn't playing together as if they're a band... it's about the entire sound in the room.”
• Erica Swindell [16:27]: “Make sure you show up a good 25 minutes early... that's probably my favorite moment.”

Don’t miss the chance to experience Once at the Malta Jupiter Theater this holiday season—where music and magic create an unforgettable theatrical celebration.

Transcript

[Matt Tammini]

Hi, and welcome to a special interview episode of Broadway Radio. My name is Matt Tammini. Grace and I are wrapping up our Thanksgiving holidays and we will be back with it today on Broadway tomorrow. But in the meantime, I am in conversation with the two stars of the upcoming production of Once at the Malta Jupiter Theater in Jupiter, Florida, Erica Swindell and Jack Wesley Gerhardt. This is far from the first time that either Erica or Jack have been involved with the show. Erica was a part of the original Broadway production and the first national tour, as well as numerous other productions, while Jack did a subsequent national tour of the show. However, they've never done it together. In our conversation, we discuss why Once makes a great show to see during the holiday season, why it is so important for the show's cast to feel like a fully functioning band. And I ask Erica to compare Jack to another of her frequent collaborators, Don Henley. Yes, that Don Henley in the show notes, of course, I will have information on where you can purchase tickets to see Once at the Malt's Jupiter Theater. It is running just December 3rd through December 15th. So if you want to check this one out, jump on it now. All right. With all of that out of the way, here's my conversation with Erica Swindell and Jack Wesley Gerhard. Erica and Jack. Once is running in Jupiter from December 3rd through the 15th, right in the middle of holiday season. It's not obviously a traditional holiday show, so with all of the Christmas carols and grinches and elfs and nutcrackers out there, if people are looking for a holiday vibey show, why should that be Once?

[Erica Swindell]

I think, honestly, if you think about holiday togetherness and family and how that closeness makes you feel, I think that this show explores that in kind of unconventional ways. And by the end of it, it makes you incredibly grateful for the people that you have in your life. So I think if you're looking to come to something and just get that holiday, like, super warm feeling, I think it's definitely in that vein then.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

Yeah, and you just said, you know, carols and things like that in this. This show is all about the music. So if you're. You can get that same feeling that you get with your traditional Christmas songs that you're used to, but it's just a different. It's a different soundtrack, but it has the same feeling of people coming together and making music and singing and. Yeah, it gives you that same feeling.

[Matt Tammini]

Now, both of you have done productions of Once before as you come in to do a new version, different people with a different Director, how do you take what you've done in the past? Use that as knowledge and inspiration, but come into it with an open mind, an open heart, and, I guess, open vocal cords and character choices as well.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

I've been going through a bit of a shedding process because I did the show in two different types of cast and in, you know, three different roles. And so it's kind of a lot of years of things that are in my memory bank. But I think the key to this, and we've been really lucky to work with Mark, is that we just have to listen to each other and really be in the moment and allow, you know, know that what was is still there, but it's more interesting to figure out what is. And, yeah, I don't know. We've been having a really good time.

[Erica Swindell]

Finding that the material is so strong that it really allows you to. If you're in it, if you're. If you're breathing it, you know, every day. It's so much fun to rediscover with. With a new cast and new people. So it really just. It allows for that. It calls for that.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

But luckily, Jack and I actually worked on the same sort of progression of the same rendition of the show, which I think is enormously helpful because we both know kind of if someone does something or it's in them already, we understand what it is, which is really nice.

[Matt Tammini]

So explain it. So, Eric, I know you were involved with the show on Broadway, did the first national tour. Jack, you've done a subsequent national tour. But I know you've probably done some other productions around the country as well. So how has the show changed during those processes? So you have those kind of same building blocks to work from now.

[Erica Swindell]

The way that they stage it on Broadway and then the tours is very specific. So they keep the tours very specific to what it was on Broadway. And they, you know, the people that direct it, like Sean Pecknicker, he was.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

Our resident director for the tour.

[Erica Swindell]

And they kind of train you the same way.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

And the thing that's really neat about this show, because I was lucky enough to be the dance captain on the tour, which I got really close with Hoggett's work. And it is the same choreography. He doesn't use that word, but we were allowed to, even with the understudies, everyone who went on, we found what that looked like in their body. So it was like. It's from intention, which I think is really special because normally it's about hitting marks. And this is just more about the Feeling of the moment. I don't know. I really love his work because of that.

[Matt Tammini]

Yeah, I don't know that there's very many people who can stage something. I won't say choreography out of respect to Stephen Haggett, but who stage something, whether it's a musical or a play, quite in the same way that he does. But as you said, a lot of the shows that you've been involved in the past allow you to kind of cater things to who you are working with at any given time. And I would have to imagine that when you come into a show like once, because not only are you dealing with a new group of actors, but a new group of musicians as well. That has to be kind of fun, you know, in all different senses of the word, to play with a new group of people, both musically play to acting play, but also to kind of like build that camaraderie and found family and friendship that you were talking about earlier.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

It has to be a band. It.

[Erica Swindell]

Yeah.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

You know, in the first week of rehearsals, it's all about becoming a band. And we're kind of on the outskirts of that a little bit. But because everybody else has pre show and they have more songs that they play with each other, but if we don't, this show doesn't work if the entire cast isn't playing together as if they're a band. Because when you play in a band, you listen more and it's not about what you're playing, it's about the entire sound in the room. And I think that that is really what makes or breaks this show. Because luckily we're with a group of.

[Erica Swindell]

People who really understand everyone is so good. All the musicians, actors that they hired are so good at their instruments, except for one.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

You know, Jack knows how to lead a group of musicians too. And that's really important because if the person playing guy doesn't know how to do that, it crumbles. So, you know, that's a very special and particular type of bonding that happens in this show. And I mean, I'm mostly a musician, so that's kind of what really draws me to this. And it makes the whole thing feel magical.

[Matt Tammini]

And I would imagine, Erica, you said you're primarily a musician, come back and do this show every six months or however often you do it over the years. Okay, a little exaggeration, a little hyperbole, but I would imagine that this for you gives you the opportunity to flex some muscles that maybe you don't in a day to day, you know, working thing. And I would imagine, Jack, the same is true for you. While as you are a musical theater actor, the other side of that music opportunity and once allows you to do some things that you don't normally do on a. On a regular basis. Is that something that attracts you not only to this specific show, but to different opportunities to expand what you do as an artist?

[Erica Swindell]

I think. Definitely. I think this show is unique in that sense, because if you think about it from the standpoint of the movie, which Chris created with such a low budget, you know what I mean? It was never meant to be a musical, and yet as a movie with music, they expanded on it and developed it into this just beautiful thing for myself. I enjoyed doing a lot of busking in New York City and just playing outdoors and those similar situations. Situations. That kind of stuff that. That the. The show demonstrates. You know, just jams and everything.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

Yeah, we just have a lot of fun. We play with each other every chance we can.

[Erica Swindell]

Yeah.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

But, yeah, I mean, I. For me, you know, I sort of just got scooped up into the music world. It was not really a direct choice. It was kind of just to go with that, what's happening. And there is something that lived sort of dead. I hate to say dead, but dead inside me for a long time. And I. Because, you know, there's nothing quite so full as being able to do all of the things that I love to do all at once.

[Erica Swindell]

Yeah.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

Like be an actor, be a vocalist, be a musician. And, you know, this. This show is so rare because it's not a jukebox musical. It's not performance for the audience. In some ways, it's. It's like they're getting to kind of spy on a really special experience that we're having. Gives you all of the music together.

[Erica Swindell]

Everything you like to do as a performer, you just get to do in this show.

[Matt Tammini]

Well, Erica, I want to talk about you getting swept up into the music world here in a little bit, but I will get to that. But you mentioned the fact how important it is for the band to really work together and to really feel like a real band. And a lot of that has to do at least with the creation of that, with your music director, who is also in the cast, Maggie Hollenbeck. Erica, did you do the tour with her, too? At some point.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

So Maggie was one of our understudies, and so she kind of came onto the final year and a half, I believe, so we were sort of already established, but she came into pretty much like the OG sort of music sound. And all of that. And all of that knowledge wasn't transferred over to the charts and the scores and all of those things, because that's what happens whenever you go regional. It's sort of, you know, gets lost in translation. And so I'm very thankful to work with her because she. She knows what was and is able to get as close to that as we can while also being honoring the people that are playing the roles now. And I. I don't think that you would get that if you didn't have someone who was in the room before.

[Matt Tammini]

Yeah, that's awesome. Well, Erica, there's no pressure here, and if you want Jack to cover his ears for this question, we can do that. But when it. When it comes to singing and playing with somebody, who do you prefer, Jack or Don Henley? There you go. And Jack's covering.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

Are we being buzzed?

[Matt Tammini]

Yeah.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

You know what? I. Those are two totally separate things.

[Erica Swindell]

They've been calling me the Don Henley of South Florida.

[Matt Tammini]

Yes, that's right. Very good. I love that.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

No, I feel really lucky to be working with Jack because I have a lot of particular things that really tweak my ears because I haven't been working in musical theater. I've been working in music. And anybody that knows Don Henley's catalog and the Eagles, it's that it has to sound exactly like the record every single time. So that was very educational for me in terms of just specificity. And Jack's been really open to all of my weird. Can it be a vocal? Yeah. And, you know, not everybody is like that. It's. Theirs can. Sometimes egos can get in the way of that. So I'm going to respectfully decline to pick one.

[Matt Tammini]

So what are those things that you. As you're moving back into the theater world, what are those things that are different for you either from the way you're going to do something or the way that you like to hear things, are used to hearing things. That is taking a little bit of an adjustment period.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

Well, I will tell you that this production is not taking as much of an adjustment period because people know what they're doing and they're playing like a band.

[Matt Tammini]

Good.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

But a lot of times, you know, if phrasings and harmonies aren't matched up directly, or if there's intonation or mostly what happens in the translation from the music world to musical theater, I'm probably going to make a lot of people a little upset, but people don't play with each other. They play at each other, and everyone's really excited. To show you what they can do. So it can get sometimes to a place of cacophony as opposed to harmony. And you know, I, I'm more interested in just everybody sitting back and then waiting until there's that one moment where someone gets to light themselves on fire. But I think that's the biggest difference.

[Matt Tammini]

Yeah. Well, Jack, this is not the first time you have done a show down here in Florida in the past year. You were over on the other side of the state doing kinky boots in, in January. It seems like you are picking really good times to be down here. At least weather wise. Yeah, man, I did sent to New York.

[Erica Swindell]

Truly. I worked one time in Florida in August and I, I almost just. I think I melted entirely. I had to just reconstruct myself. No, being down here in January and November, December is fantastic. I mean, look at it outside right now. It's literally, it's. It's snowing upstate right now where I'm from. So that is, that's nice.

[Matt Tammini]

Obviously during the rehearsal process and doing tech and everything, you're not going to get a whole lot of opportunities to enjoy that weather. But once things settle down, once you open, do you have any plans to kind of take advantage of being down here during the otherwise cold months back home?

[Erica Swindell]

Well, I'd love to learn to parasail, but I don't think that's going to happen. It just looks too intense and dangerous. But no, no, no, no, no.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

Where.

[Erica Swindell]

I mean, we've. The cast has been at the beach a couple of times, stuff like that, you know, enjoying running outdoors and hanging out I think is definitely going to be on the agenda.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

We all kind of knew each other actually, except for you. So it's kind of like adult summer camp right now. It's very fun. You know, we're all kind of around the same age, which is really fun. And I don't know, it's kind of like a little reunion.

[Matt Tammini]

Was it all. Did you know everybody from. From previous versions of Once or just being in the same circles?

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

That or, you know, I played a couple gigs with some of the other guys and just the musical theater, music, actor, musician circuit, you know, everybody kind of knew each other.

[Erica Swindell]

It's been fun for me from a different side of things because normally I feel like it's been a while since I've showed up to a gig and, and not known anyone. So to meet a completely, you know.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

It'S cool, it's fun hugging each other the first day. We're like, oh my God. Nice to Meet you.

[Matt Tammini]

You're the new kid. You're the new kid showing up on the first day of a new school year. Got it?

[Erica Swindell]

Yeah.

[Matt Tammini]

Well, I'll wrap it up because I know you're on your break, and I want to make sure you guys get to eat and relax a little bit. But as you go into the bulk of the rehearsal process or the home stretch of the rehearsal process here, is there something that's developing for each of you? Are like, oh, I really like watching or listening to this. Not necessarily something that you're in or maybe a moment that you're in, but somebody else is kind of the focus. But is there something where you're like, you know what? This is really special, and I'm glad that I get to witness it.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

I am certainly having that experience every.

[Erica Swindell]

Second of every day. Honestly.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

The last time I played this or I was in the show, I played Reza, so I was doing a lot of the movement, and I was inside of it, but now I get to witness it, which is just. It's. It's doing all of the acting for me. It's just so astounding to be able to watch it and feel it, which I hope the audience will feel that same way. And that's just really. That's been really special.

[Erica Swindell]

I would say to anyone considering coming to see the show, make sure you show up a good 25 minutes early. There is a real Irish trad session, like a jam in the beginning of the show that is just so much fun and watching and listening to that.

[Matt Tammini]

Oh, my God.

[Erica Swindell]

And the guy who plays David, who plays Da on the show, has this one particular song right before. Right before the show starts that is just.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

It's incredible.

[Erica Swindell]

Worth showing up for. So that's probably. That's probably my favorite moment.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

It's the David Luckman.

[Erica Swindell]

It is the David.

[Matt Tammini]

Yeah.

[Jack Wesley Gerhardt]

No, it's.

[Erica Swindell]

Man, he crushes.

[Matt Tammini]

Well, I appreciate you taking the time to just. I love once. I cannot wait to see the show. So enjoy the rest of the rehearsal process. Have a wonderful run and enjoy some parasailing if you get the opportunity.

[Erica Swindell]

I won't. Now I need all my limbs intact.

[Matt Tammini]

Yeah, very fair. Might be insurance liabilities that go along.