Shining in the bright lights of Broadway “The odds of two people at Geneseo at the same time to end up in a show like this, you can’t even compute it.” — Lucas Papaelias ’98 he last time Lucas Papaelias ’98 and J. Michael Zygo ’01 shared a stage, they’d seen each other naked in “Hair.” For Papaelias, then a senior studying theater and communications at Geneseo, it was his first actor-musician role. For Zygo, then a freshman, it was the beginning of a shift from studying biology to embracing his love of music. They credit that production and other opportunities to perform at Geneseo with ultimately leading them to their current roles in the Broadway hit “Once.” The bittersweet romantic musical about an Irish street musician and a Czech immigrant has been a huge success. Based on the 2006 movie of the same name, “Once” opened on Broadway in February 2012 and won eight Tony Awards last June, including Best Musical. “The odds of two people at Geneseo at the same time to end up in a show like this, you can’t even compute it,” says Papaelias, who plays a musician named Svec. Zygo has the role of Emcee and has gone on as the understudy for the male lead, Guy. He is also the show’s dance captain and an understudy for a character named Billy. It is Zygo’s first time performing on Broadway. He never imagined what the show has become — attracting sellout crowds, signing auto-
T
graphs after shows and performing on a Grammy-winning soundtrack recorded by the cast. Performing at the Tonys was “beyond exciting,” he says. “I’m down center the whole time and there’s Hugh Jackman,” he recalls. “I kept trying to keep my energy and focus where it needed to be.” There are no big Broadway ensembles or orchestras to back the “Once” actors in the intimate production. Zygo and Papaelias are part of a 13-member cast who not only act, but also sing, dance and play instruments — often simultaneously. They also get up close with the audience. The cast has a pre-show jam session with the crowd and the large, semi-circular bar that serves as the set becomes an actual bar for patrons during intermission. “We’re always playing in character,” Papaelias says. “It’s a really fun way to go through a show, to always be in your role, even when you’re not in a scene.” It’s also a physically demanding way to perform, but the show has been worth it, says Papaelias, whose career has included the Broadway production of “Cyrano de Bergerac” with Kevin Kline and roles in the movie “School of Rock” and in TV shows such as “Law & Order.” “I’m already a lucky man,” he says. For Zygo, whose career has included touring productions
class of ’98
class of ’01
Lucas Papaelias
J. Michael Zygo PHOTO PROVIDED
of “Rock of Ages,” “Oklahoma!,” and “Annie,” “Once” has also been a nice change of pace. “Once” is scheduled at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre through October, though it’s not clear how long the original cast will be with the production. Whatever happens, Zygo says, he’s going to enjoy the ride. “If I have to do this show for the rest of my life, I’d be happy.”
— By Lydia Fernandez
: Watch Papaelias and Zygo perform with the cast of “Once” at the 2012 Tonys www.youtube.com/ watch?v=8RebiKimpx4
Winter 2013
29