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Heartbreak, hope power ‘Once on This Island’
Published July 29, 2010
GUNTERSVILLE — The Whole Backstage Theatre’s presentation of “Once on This Island” captures the heartbreak and hope of the Broadway musical.
Powered by a moving performance from Chelsea Green as Ti Moune, beautiful costume designs and excellent choreography, “Once on This Island” is another top-notch production by The Whole Backstage Theatre.
First-time director Chris Harper and assistant director Melissa Trebus skillfully manage the performances, brought to more life by the musical direction of Johnny Brewer.
“Once on This Island” continues with four more shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. A matinee is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for students and seniors and $15 for adults.
The playhouse is located at 1120 Rayburn Ave. in Guntersville. Call 256-582-7469 for information.
“Once on This Island” is based on the novel, “My Love, My Love” by Rosa Guy. The musical is a reimagining of the Hans Christian Anderson tale, “The Little Mermaid,” with elements of the “Romeo and Juliet” story.
The show is set on a French island in the Caribbean. It centers on the primitive island girl Ti Moune, who saves the life of the wealthy grand homme, Daniel.
They fall in love but face the obstacles of class, race and society’s expectations. The gods also factor into the story, playing games with human lives and emotions á la the mythology of the Greeks.
The musical opens with a well-choreographed and energetic dance number, revealing elaborate costumes and a youthful cast. The choreography of Will Casey and Telisha Montgomery is one of the highlights throughout the show.
Playing her role with a naďve vulnerability, Green sparkles as the orphan girl Ti Moune, who believes her undying love is enough to overcome the traditions of Daniel’s upper-crust society and even the will of the gods.
Ti Moune is certain the gods placed her on this earth to love Daniel.
“They saved my life, so I could save his,” Ti Moune says.
The gods, though, enjoy their games, and the evil Death god Papa Ge tricks Ti Moune into pledging her life for Daniel’s. AJ Pollard injects Papa Ge with a sinister edge, aided by striking makeup effects.
Watching Ti Moune reminded me of Bella in “The Twilight Saga.” Like Bella, Ti Moune appears obsessed with the idea of true love and so willing to die for it.
Act I sets up the plot, introducing a young and abandoned Ti Moune played by the adorable Maggie Mae Yancey. Christopher K. Carter and Ashleigh Walker are excellent as Ti Moune’s adoptive parents.
The showstopper is a lively Act II number entitled “Mama Will Provide.” Zoie Rigsby, who plays the earth goddess Asaka, delivers a standout performance. Later in Act II, “Ti Moune’s Dance” provides another fun, thoroughly crowd-pleasing moment.
A pall hangs over the romance of Daniel and Ti Moune, however. Daniel, played with appropriate aplomb by Phillip Estes, says to Ti Moune at one point, “Some girls you marry, some you love.”
Ti Moune is completely unaware of her impending doom, which makes her scene near the end at the gates of her lover’s plantation all the more heartbreaking. Green surrenders to the performance, boldly illustrating Ti Moune’s helplessness and pain in the face of unrequited love.
“Once on This Island” is a fairy tale about life, love, grief, faith and hope, according to the director.
The ending is not exactly happily ever after, but the audience is certain to leave happy after experiencing the rousing final number.
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