Although she was cast in a Broadway musical whose most famous song is titled, “Falling Slowly,” Plant City native Charleene Closshey is rising quickly in the success and status of her performing arts career.
“Once,” based on a 2007 film, premiered as a new musical on Broadway and on tour last year. It is the story of two musicians in Ireland and how music fosters love, friendship and dreams. Closshey was an understudy for the role of the nameless male protagonist’s ex-girlfriend, which also required her to play fiddle.
Closshey’s Broadway debut in this role was April 8, 2014, on the same stage where James Dean made his Broadway debut in 1954. Closshey said when she walked onto the stage that first day, she had expected it to feel surreal and exhilarating. But, when she started to perform, it felt organic.
“That release lent creative freedom,” Closshey said. “That’s what the show is all about — creating with your fellow cast members at every moment.”
“Once” does not feature choreographed dancing. The actors and actresses are also the musical ensemble, and as they play, their movements are natural expressions of the music. The score is largely influenced by Celtic and folk music, which is why Closshey’s two decades of violin experience was a critical factor in her casting.
Closshey was a “swing” performer — she was cast in the Broadway show as well as the touring production. She is the only swing for “Once.” She said there were a lot of small variations that made it a significantly different experience to act in each show.
Closshey made the most of her tour and turned it into a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
“I love going to a place and being able to live like a local,” she said. “You’re immersed in aspects of a cultural phenomenon in that moment. Everything is real. It’s not pretentious.”
St. Louis was Closshey’s first city on the tour. Des Moines was next, where Closshey visited historical bridges and took a class at the botanical garden. She spent a day in Denver searching for the last wild herd of American buffalo and a week in Tempe volunteering with the Humane Society.
“There was adventure around every turn,” Closshey said.
Closshey finished touring in May but was called back to perform in the Broadway show in August. Now, she is focusing on other artistic endeavors, one of which was produced in Plant City.
“It was extra special to be able to come back and remind myself what it feels like to be surrounded by love,” she said. “It’s always good to be with family and friends.”
Closshey’s fiance of seven years, Jeremy Culver, is a film writer and director. Culver and his sister, Morgen Culver, wrote the script for a holiday film called “An Evergreen Christmas,” which will be released Nov. 4, 2014. It will be available on DVD at Walmart and on iTunes, Amazon, InDemand and OnDemand.
Closshey stars as the lead in the film, which is about a musician going home for Christmas to face family issues and return to her roots.
But, Closshey also composed music for the film, including a song called “My Tennessee Home.” Closshey and Culver shot a music video for this song in Plant City during the last week of August.
Closshey said despite the title of the song, Plant City was the perfect set for the music video, as long as the palm trees stayed off-screen.
“The whole point of the song is about going home,” Closshey said. “We love Tennessee. I could totally see myself living in Nashville. But, the intent of the song — family, connectivity and what it means to be home.”
Three additional films are on the horizon for Closshey, including an interpretation of a Jane Austen book. These projects are in the pre-production phase.
For those who are not actors or musicians, a successful career in the performing arts can sometimes be idealized and glorified. But, Closshey is grounded in humble perspective.
“My life is as normal as yours,” she said. “We just have different kinds of normal.”
Contact Catherine Sinclair at csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.