Once on This Island begins performances on Broadway

Michael Arden's revival of the Flaherty/Ahrens musical begins previews at Circle in the Square tonight.

The first-ever Broadway revival of Once on This Island, directed by Tony Award nominee Michael Arden, begins previews at the Circle in the Square Theatre tonight, ahead of an official opening on December 3.

Once on This Island features a book & lyrics by Tony Award winner Lynn Ahrens and music by Tony Award winner Stephen Flaherty, who are also currently represented on the Great White Way by the Broadway premiere of Anastasia.

Synopsis: "Once on This Island is the extraordinary story of a fearless young dreamer named Ti Moune. After a massive storm rages through her village, a ray of hope appears through a young man from the wealthy side of the island. An unexpected romance blossoms. But when their different cultures threaten to keep them apart, Ti Moune—guided by the island gods—sets out on a journey to stay beside the man who has captured her heart. The musical transforms the reality of post-storm Haiti into a fantastical world bursting with Caribbean rhythms and dance."

The cast is led by newcomer Hailey Kilgore, making her Broadway debut as Ti Moune, alongside Tony Award winner Lea Salonga (as Erzulie), "Glee" star Alex Newell (as Asaka), Merle Dandridge (as Papa Ge), Quentin Earl Darrington (as Agwe), Tony Award nominee Phillip Boykin (as Tonton Julian), Alysha Deslorieux (as Andrea), David Jennings (as Armand), Kenita R. Miller (as Mama Euralie) and Isaac Powell (as Daniel).

The "storytellers" for the Broadway revival are Darlesia Cearcy, Rodrick Covington, Cassondra James, Grasan Kingsberry, Tyler Hardwick, Loren Lott, T. Oliver Reid, and Aurelia Williams.

This new production features choreography by Camille Brown, music supervision by Chris Fenwick, music direction by Alvin Hough, Jr., new orchestrations by the musical's original orchestrator Michael Starobin, vocal designs by AnnMarie Milazzo, scenic design by Dane Laffrey, costume design by Clint Ramos, lighting design by Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer and sound design by Peter Hylenski. Tony Award winner Nikki M. James also serves as Assistant Director.

Once on This Island is produced on Broadway by Ken Davenport and Hunter Arnold, with Carl Daikeler, Richard Hopper, WitzEnd Productions, Kayla Greenspan and Valerie Novakoff.

Once on This Island premiered off-Broadway at Playwright's Horizons in 1990 and transferred to Broadway in October of the same year. The Broadway production ran for a total of 469 performances and received an impressive total of eight Tony Award nominations including "Best Musical". Its West End premiere was staged in 1994 and ultimately won the Olivier Award for "Best New Musical" at the 1995 ceremony.

Once on This Island Tickets are available now for performances through to December 30, 2018.

^{(Photo by Caitlin McNaney)}