Ted Nunes, on being an actor/musician and starring in 'Once' at Centerstage Clovis.

Plus, Michael Faeth's 'War Drums' prompts new releases.

Oct 08, 2023

“Once,” isn’t a musical in the Broadway tradition; with the actors on stage belting out numbers while the musicians stay mostly hidden away in the orchestra pit.

The play is based on the 2007 movie of the same name and follows an Irish street busker who meet cutes a piano player and spends the next week writing, rehearing and playing a bunch of songs (as they fall in love, obviously).

The movie stars the folk rock duo The Swell Season, who also wrote and played the film’s original score, which won an Academy Award (for best original song).

“The screenplay was written by musicians, for musicians, about musicians,” says Ted Nunes, who takes up the staring role in Centerstage Clovis’ production of the show, which opened this weekend.

“The stage play holds true to the film and what sets this show apart from other musicals is that we perform all the songs on our instruments the same way musicians would share their songs in real life,” says Nunes, who been known to share his own songs as a solo performer and with his band Richfield.

“The musician/actor line gets blurred in this show, which to me, adds to the realism.”

So, the play has 25 acoustic instruments on stage coming through a PA at once, which Nunes admits is kind of mind boggling, but also totally works.

“I give credit to our sound crew for making it happen.”

I emailed Nunes to find out how being a gigging musician helped with preparation for the play.

Had you seen the play or movie prior to auditioning for the role of Guy? "

“I did see the film when it first came around in 2007/2008. I remember wondering if it was a documentary, the way it was shot in its low-budget glory. That, and it had such an organic natural feel.”

So, what drew you to the part?

“I’ve done a few stage plays and had fun doing the acting thing the past few years. But lately I’ve been focused on releasing music. I think for me, this show gives me the opportunity to act and perform in a way that feels so natural.

I think any singer/songwriter/musician would relate to this show and those who are fans of music will get an inside look at some of the triumphs and pitfalls musicians face.”

How was prepping for this play different from preparing one of your concerts, let’s say?

“When I’m getting ready for a show with the band, we typically shoot for two or three solid rehearsals of a few hours. With a show like “Once,” we’ve been rehearsing four days a week for about six weeks. And the score has roughly 25+ songs, unique arrangements, chorography and dialog.

Also with a show like this, it really is all about being perfect. I have eight songs that I’m really attempting to nail. I’ve been rehearsing these songs every day for the past six weeks and I’m attempting to get them so ingrained in my muscle memory that I can play them as if I wrote them. I’m lucky because they truly are great songs.”

Do you find it easier/harder/more/less rewarding to play someone else’s songs and tell someone else’s story? As opposed to performing your own music?

“It’s a whole other experience. When I play music with a band, it tends to be a visceral experience. If I want, I’m able to close my eyes and focus fully on the musicians around me and what’s happening musically. I’m able to feel the ebb and flow of what is happening at the moment.

I experience the same sensation acting on stage with scene partners, except it’s more of a full body experience. There’s a natural ebb and flow that happens within a scene on a given night and it’s always slightly changing. The same way a song you performed one night might feel different the next night.”

“Once,” runs Oct. 12-14 at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District Auditorium (tickets here).

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Michael Faeth’s ‘War Drums’ playlist

Back in July, Michael Faeth put out a call to his fellow musicians.

He was looking for songs. Particularly, songs about (and more specifically, against) war. He even gave a prompt; his song “In a River,” the drums tracks of which he made available for free to anyone who wanted.

Since then, at least three musicians have taken Faeth up on the challenge.

George Rotalo, who some will remember from the 80s Fresno rock group the Clams, released the power-pop “Message To The Universe.”
Charles McClelland, playing under his solo moniker Twerpentine, did a heavier take with the alt-rocky “War Drums.” McClelland plays in Buzzbomb Phase 4, Barnaby Clones and The Pansies.
Paint and Copter (the band from Faeth’s former Portland, Ore., bandmate Andy Brown) gave the tracks a kind of dark wave, electronic spin.

The entire playlist of songs, including Faeth’s original is up on Youtube.