 | | | OIS "Once on This Island" cast, back row from left: Alex Shandalov, Helen Radoff, Lauren Bond, Clare Riley, Olivia Bohuslav, Will Barber. Middle: Amanda Han, Julia Bond, Ava Killbourn, Kyla Meyer, Amber Randall, Madeline Kiss. Front: Kendall Roberts, Jack Lewis, Owen Reed, Ciara Kohr. Photo provided
| | | | | | For the first time in a decade, the eight-time Tony nominated production of the musical "Once on This Island, Jr." will be performed in Lamorinda. Now is the chance to see this incredible show that also won Best New Musical in London in 1995. Students with the Orinda Intermediate School's Bulldog Theater will be singing and transporting the audience to the Caribbean April 24-27.
The story focuses on a peasant girl on a tropical island, who uses the power of love to bring together people of different social classes (think of it as a mix of "Romeo & Juliet" and "The Little Mermaid").
As the show begins, we are transported to that tropical island where, on a rainy, stormy night, a small girl cries out in fear. To comfort her, the villagers tell her the legend of a peasant girl, Ti Moune, who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a rich young man from the other side of the island, and the charismatic island gods who try to influence the outcome between the two. This joyous, yet tragic story of life, love, faith, and hope features non-stop music and dancing.
The production is directed by Justin Pyne, who served as musical director on "Guys & Dolls" last spring, and assisted by Jack Henry, a 2003 alumnus of OIS. "It's great to work together as a team to tell such a powerful story on stage this way," says Pyne. "We're excited to share it with the families and students of Lamorinda." The show is produced and choreographed by Christina Martin, who directed the fall OIS play.
The two casts of OIS students will spend over 40 hours rehearsing and preparing for the show, which will run April 24-27 at the Bulldog Theater at OIS. The 90-minute production will have one intermission. For more information on the show and cast, visit ois-orinda-ca.schoolloop.com/Theater. Tickets will be available for purchase starting April 10 at www.showtix4u.com.
|
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA