ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

Town Hall Arts Center: April 8 – May 8

 

                                                  Camryn Nailah

Run to get tickets for ONCE ON THIS ISLAND!!!

     Director Betty Hart and her outstanding cast will transport you to the august realm of Musical Theatre Heaven.

     With book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and music by Stephen Flaherty, “Once on This Island” is based on the novel “My Love, My Love,” by Rosa Guy, which is a re-working of Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Little Mermaid.” (It is to be noted that Mr. Flaherty composed the brilliant score for the musical “Ragtime” and Ahrens wrote the lyrics.)

     IN 1991 this musical was nominated for nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book for a Musical and Best Original Score.

     

     Camryn Nailah’s performance in the role of Ti Moune enchants. Her breathtaking solo dance at the ball warrants the price of a ticket all on its own.

     Arabella Beaubrun’s volcanic belting of “Mama Will Provide” is magnificent!

    As Daniel, Stefan Beal delivers a lovely version of “Some Girls.”

     Robert Payo (TonTon Julian) and Marcelina Ramirez (Mama Euralie) create great chemistry as Ti Moune’s parents.

     The talents of Heidi Carann Snider(Papa Ge) ,Nicole Siegler(Erzulie) and Nnamdi Nwankwo(Agwe) complete this remarkable cast. All are excellent in their roles.

     Christopher Page-Sanders’ electrifying choreography is pulse-pounding.  Astounding throughout, his work on “We Dance” and the jaw-dropping solo of  Camryn Nailah are of special note. Page-Sanders’ name is one to search out in every theatre program. Genius!

     The divine Donna Kolpan Debreceni provides the excellent musical tracks.

     Award-winning Music Director Lee Ann Scherlong, provides her usual magic.

       Vance McKenzie’s lighting design stuns!!!

      Philip Cope’s minimalist scenic design is just right for allowing the actors to really pop.

     Curt Behm’s wondrous and thunderous sound design Rocks!

      The story revolves around racist elitism in an island in the Antilles in the Caribbean Sea between peasants of dark color and those of a lighter hue, the descendants of French plantation owners and their slaves.

     Director Betty Hart’s clear-eyed directorial concept is “racism kills.”

 

For tickets call the box office at 303-794-2787 or go online at townhallartscenter.org