Things are jumping to a reggae rhythm and calypso beat over at UCLA with the Reprise production of the Tony-nominated Once On This Island by librettist Lynn Ahrens and her partner, composer Stephen Flaherty. Reprise has a true hit on their hands, and it is Broadway quality.
Based loosely on Hans Christian Anderson’s “Little Mermaid,” the story recounts an enchanted tale of Ti Moune, a poor girl from the West Indies, who finds a rich mulatto boy from the rich side of the island who has had a terrible car accident, nurses him to health, and falls in love. The story follows the rise and eventual fall (due to their unequal status) of their relationship, the girl’s death, and her final transformation.
When the show was originally done it was a colorful fairytale described by critic Frank Rich of the New York Times as a “joyous marriage of the sophistication of Broadway musical theatre and the indigenous culture of a tropical isle.” For Reprise the show has been re-imagined by director Billy Porter and choreographer Bradley Rapier, founder of the Groovaloos.
The music is still rousing, the dancing exuberant (though hip-hop inspired), but director Porter has brought out some of the darker tones of the piece. While it is a fun production to see and hear, we are also moved by the poignancy of the lost and impossible love, the death of the heroine, and the simplicity of the telling.
The cast is superb. Two-time Grammy winner and singer-songwriter Ledisi plays the role of Asaka, bringing down the house with her rendition of “Mama Will Provide.” Newcomer Kristolyn Lloyd makes her Los Angeles debut as Ti Moune. She has a sweet and winning style, a pure voice, and can dance up a storm. Her hesitant lover is played by tenor Jesse Nager. He sings the beautiful ballad “Some Girls” and also dances with the best of them. Others in this wonderful exuberant cast are Yvette Cason, Lance Roberts, Leslie Odom Jr., Brian Chandler, Nicolette Robinson, Vanita Harbour, Bryan Terrell Clark, and Darina Littleton.
Most of the credit, however, goes to director Porter, who ingeniously finds ways to tell this story on a small acting area. The car is represented by two flashlights, a forest by a butterfly, etc. This is the first production that is fully under the control of Artistic Director Jason Alexander and producing director Susan Dietz. Gone is the pre-show pitch to buy tickets, and even the food at opening was better. It's an auspicious start for the new Reprise team. Once On This Island plays at the Freud Playhouse on the UCLA campus until Sept 14th. See it.
Article comments