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ONCE ON THIS ISLAND was Lynn Ahrens' and Stephen Flaherty's first real taste of success. Based on the novel 'My Love, My Love' by Rosa Guy, the show is a twist on the traditional 'Little Mermaid' tale, and tells the story of Ti Moune, a poor peasant girl who falls in love with Daniel, an upper class boy whose life she saves after a car crash. Central to the story are four gods that the peasants believe rule their lives. The gods of Love, (Erzulie), Earth (Asaka), Water (Agwe), and Death (Papa Ge) cause the lives of the young lovers to intersect, and send Ti Moune on the fateful journey that tests the strength of her love. Set in the French Antilles, 'Once On This Island' boasts a score that is immediately and continually reflective of this locale. There are rousing, upbeat numbers like 'Mama Will Provide,' and 'Some Say,' as well as poignant ballads like 'The Human Heart' and 'Forever Yours.' While some of the numbers stand on their own, there can be no mistaking a song from 'Once On This Island' with a song from any other show, because Ahrens and Flaherty never betray the story's Caribbean roots. 'Once On This Island' originated at Playwrights Horizons on April 6, 1990. It opened at the Booth Theater on Broadway on October 18, 1990 and played for 469 performances. The show also received eight Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. On May 12, 2002, the original Broadway cast reunited for a special two concert benefit performance benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund. This production of 'Once On This Island' is by SODA - Bangor University's Student Operatic Dramatic Association, which puts on a musical production each year in Theatr Gwynedd. This year, the creative team decided to double-cast the show due to the high level of demand and amount of singing required by the lead roles - it was thought unfair to have to make the leads sing so much and it also meant that more people had an opportunity to shine! CAST Ti Moune: Claire Davies and Ellie Welch Daniel: Nicholas Arnaoutis Mama Euralie: Kirstin O'Direain and Ffion Roberts Tonton Julian: Anthony Sweeney Asaka: Hannah Judge and Sally Beaman Agwe: Daniel Twist and Sam Poote Erzulie: Hannah Kearney and Aimee Poote Papa Ge: Ken Burley and Rob Watts Armand: Laith Jawzi and Sam Wells Andrea: Polly Taylor and Danni Shaw Performance dates: Wednesday 20th, Thursday 21st, Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd April 2005, 7.30pm, Theatr Gwynedd (plus a Saturday matinée). Price: £7.50 for adults, £5 for NUS students and other concessionary groups. For further information, please visit the 'Once On This Island mini-site: www.undeb.bangor.ac.uk/soda/shows/once_on_this_island/ooti_index.htm E-mail: theatr@theatrgwynedd.co.uk Address: Theatr Gwynedd, Ffordd Deiniol, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2TL Tel, Box Office: 01248 351708 Tel, Administration: 01248 351707 Fax: 01248 351915 |
| web site: www.undeb.bangor.ac.uk/soda/shows/once_on_this_island/ooti_index.htm |
| e-mail: theatr@theatrgwynedd.co.uk |
Sunday, April 17, 2005 |
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