If Broadway felt like a part of the Caribbean, it would be like paradise. But the closest thing to paradise in the Theater District nowadays is the awe-inspiring revival of Once on This Island, settled happily for a long run at the Circle in the Square. Based on the 1985 novel, My Love, My Love, which in fact was a Caribbean retelling of The Little Mermaid, this is a 90-minute musical fairy tale that is joyous as it is enchanting. It's no wonder this production of this cult-favorite musical shocked many theater pundits earlier this summer by winning the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival over its competitors, the still-running My Fair Lady and the now-closed Carousel.
Taking place in the aftermath of a storm in a village, the town's storytellers tells about the story of the peasant girl, Ti Moune (newcomer Hailey Kilgore) to a little girl (not to mention the audience too). In the story, Ti Moune (like the Little Mermaid) has a dream of going from the poor side of the island to the rich side, which is filled with wealthy people and a livelier lifestyle. She prays to the four gods of the island to make her dream come true. The four gods who rule this island are earth mother Asaka (Alex Newell), water god Agwe (Quentin Earl Darrington), love goddess Erzulie (Darlesia Cearcy) and death demon Papa Ge (American Idol vet Tamyra Gray). The gods soon hears her prayer and decides to give her a journey of life and death to achieve her dream.
To do that, the gods create a car crash involving a young blueblood from the other side of the tracks. The boy injured in the mentioned crash goes by the name of Daniel Beauxhomme (Isaac Powell). When Ti Moune sees the man hurt in the wreckage, she nurses him back to good health. But in the process, she makes a sad deal with Papa Ge trading her soul to help save his life. Daniel soon returns to his land, but Ti Moune decides that she wants him and to do that, she must go to the other part of the island. Her quest to find the love of her life soon becomes a trial of fate and courage as she puts her life on the line to follow her heart and fulfill her dream, no matter what the cost.
Director Michael Arden helms this grandeur production without a hitch and Camille A. Brown infuses the lively spirit of traditional Caribbean dances with her choreography. But the center jewel of the show is the astonishing score by composer Stephen Flaherty and lyricist Lynn Ahrens (both best known for their work on Ragtime and Anastasia). Flaherty and Ahrens' work here captures the faithfulness of the show's setting and the Calypso-style score here is sure to be heard in the memory of many theatergoers for weeks to come.
Praise must also go to scenic designer Dane Laffrey who transformed the theatre-in-the-round space into a life-like island complete with water, sand, clothes hanging on the wall and even adding a real life goat in the pre-show to make the audience feel right at home. Clint Ramos' first class costumes help give a realistic touch to the proceedings and the lighting design by Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer gives the show its clear enough shine.
As Ti Moune, Kilgore is magnificently radiant and she belts her "I want" song, "Waiting For Life" with sheer perfect pitch. Powell (looking a bit like Timothee Chalamet) is well-enough fascinating as the object of Ti Moune's affection. Gray is wonderfully effective as the villainous Papa Ge, while Cearey helps give the show its most tender moment at the halfway mark as Erzulie and Newell makes a precious performance of the show-stopping number "Mama Will Provide".
Any false moments? Well, as I mentioned earlier, the show is 90 minutes long with no intermission. But, aside from that, this is a flawless piece of theater. It even delivers one of the most touching and poignant climaxes I've ever seen on a Broadway stage. By the time it ends, you'll try to imagine seeing it again right from the beginning.
This Island is as perfect as Broadway musicals rarely get. I'll doubt in 5 or 10 years from now that you'll find a better production of this gem. Miss this show and you'll be sorry.
The Buzz on Once on This Island:
Rating: ****
Bottom Line: A joyous, enchanting, and yes, flawless production of this fan-favorite musical. This is indeed a can't miss show.
Recommended Best For: Ages 8 and up. Contains mild sexual innuendo. Despite that, it's a perfect show for families.
Playing At: Circle in the Square Theatre, on 235 West 50th Street (between Broadway and 8th Avenue) for an open-ended run. For tickets, go to telecharge.com, todaytix.com/x/nyc or call 212-239-6200.
Comments
Post a Comment