Mamaroneck High School Grad Stars in "Once"

Mackenzie Lesser-Roy, a beguiling and extraordinarily talented musical theater student at the Boston Conservatory, and a 2013 graduate of Mamaroneck High School (MHS), is living the dream she’s had since age 3. Responding to an open call this fall, Lesser-Roy landed the lead role of “Girl” in the NETworks Presentations, LLC 2016 national touring company production of the Tony Award winning musical Once.

“Kenzie has wanted to sing, act and dance since age 3,” shared her mother, Dr. Juliet Lesser, a Larchmont psychologist. Now an accomplished actor, singer, dancer, and musician, Lesser-Roy studied for years at Dance Cavise in Mamaroneck and the Larchmont Music Academy, in addition to other venues, and “considered 1st floor Post and the Music Department of MHS to be her home away from home.”

The musical, an adaptation of the Irish film of the same name, relays the tale of “Guy,” a Dublin street musician who’s on the verge of giving up his music when “Girl,” a Czech immigrant played by Lesser-Roy, hears him play and refuses to let him stop. The ensemble of actor/musicians play their own instruments on stage, the perfect opportunity for Lesser-Roy to also showcase her artistry on the piano.

Directed by John Tiffany, this production of Once opened in January in Philadelphia to rave reviews. Bryan Buttler of Philadelphia Magazine, called the actor-musicians playing the lead roles “simply phenomenal.” Michael Woody, in the Dayton Local praised it as “musical theatre at its best, in its purest form.” And, Dayton Most Metro’s Russell Florence, Jr. considered the 13 actor-musician ensemble “authentically on par with the original Broadway cast.”

Byran Buttler applauded Lesser-Roy’s performance, saying that she “tackles the complex, at times dark and sarcastic, ingénue with great depth and characterization.” Michael Woody wrote that “Girl” is “played brilliantly by Mackenzie Lesser-Roy” . . . who “is a maestro with the strings of our heart by using all her resources to create a response that resonates deep within us.” And, that is what Lesser-Roy loves about her work and this role – that she touches people’s hearts.

Once will be performed at theaters across the country, ending with a run at the Denver Performing Arts Complex May 24-29. Local audiences will have a chance to see Once in New Haven at the Shubert Theatre January 28-31. For the full performance schedule and to order tickets, see the Once website: http://oncemusical.com/tour/.

Click here for Theater Mania preview on Youtube.