From the Tony Award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Seussical, Ragtime), Altitude Theatre announces the cast for their second show, the Olivier and Tony Award-winning musical, Once on This Island, to be presented at La Boite Theatre’s Roundhouse Theatre from 28 April 2021.
Set in the French Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean Sea, Once On This Island is the sweeping, bewitching tale of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl in search of her place in the world, and ready to risk it all for love.
Unbeknownst to Ti Moune, the mighty gods who preside over the island make a bet: which is stronger, love or death – the stakes being Ti Moune’s life. Ti Moune, a peasant girl, rescues a wealthy boy from the other side of the island, Daniel, with whom she falls in love.
When she pursues Daniel, who has returned to his people, Ti Moune is shunned because of her lowly status. Her determination and capacity to love, though, is not enough to win Daniel’s heart, and Ti Moune pays the ultimate price; but the gods turn Ti Moune into a tree that grows so strong and so tall, it breaks the wall that separates the societies and ultimately unites them.
This highly original and theatrical Caribbean musical garnered eight Tony nominations for its Broadway run, including Best Musical, Book and Score. It won the 1995 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical and the 2018 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
The revival was showered with critical acclaim, with New York Times critic Jesse Green describing it as “ravishing” and The Huffington Post praising it for creating “an aesthetic experience unlike anything seen on Broadway.”
This vibrant musical is back in a production that will come to life in a burst of creative energy and remarkably inventive artistry, courtesy of director Bree Langridge and under the musical direction of Kuki Tipoki. A superb cast has been gathered to bring the village to life including some of Australia’s leading talent including Lorinda Merrypor as Ti Moune and Conor Putland as Daniel.
They are joined by Asabi Goodman (Mama Euralie), Henry Kafoa (Ton Ton Julian), Patrice Tipoki (Erzule – Goddess of Love), Vidya Makan (Papa Ge – God of Death), Rhys Velasquez (Agwe – God of the Sea), Garret Lyon (Asaka – God of Earth), Danielle Remulta (Andrea), Mike Zarate (Armand) and Jade Delmiguez, Winston Morrison, Alvin Rostant, Tallis Tutunoa and Peter Wood as a Storytellers. Adelaide Arkins, Tia Godbold, Harriet Naidoo share the role of Young Ti Moune.
“We are excited to bring forward of our vision of inclusivity with this piece,” says Kuki Tipoki. “One that can still tip its hat towards the social and racial differences of the story, but also include references to the casts own personal heritages. Musically, once on this island is a show driven by percussion, groove and heart.”
Once On This Island is presented by Altitude Theatre – a new music theatre company spearheaded by Brisbane’s own Joseph Simons and Adam Gardnir.
Once On This Island
Roundhouse Theatre, 6 Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove (Brisbane)
Season: 28 April – 8 May 2021
Information: www.altitudetheatre.com – tickets on sale soon!
Image: Once On This Island (supplied)