San Marin High Students Performing 'Once on this Island'

The following was submitted for publication on behalf of the San Marin High School Boosters:

The musical ONCE ON THIS ISLAND will be presented by San Marin High School Music on October 16 at 7:30pm, 17, 18 at 8pm & 19 at 2pm. Written by the TONY Award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Seussical, Ragtime) ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is a highly original and theatrical Caribbean adaptation of the popular fairy tale The Little Mermaid and earned eight TONY nominations for its Broadway run, including Best Musical, Book and Score.

Based on MY LOVE, MY LOVE by Rosa Guy, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is the story of Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of the island. Unbeknownst to Ti Moune, the pompous gods who preside over the island make a bet with one another over which is stronger, love or death, the stakes being Ti Moune’s life. When she pursues Daniel, who has returned to his people, Ti Moune is shunned because of her lowly status. Will her determination and capacity to love be enough to win Daniel’s heart or must Ti Moune pay the ultimate price?

Directed by Pat Nims, with choreography by Summer Bowie, vocal direction by Emily Gates and orchestra direction by Allison McIvor, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is an adventure in storytelling and the power of love pitted against politics and prejudice. Also featured is scenic painting by San Marin Senior Sophie Block and a live student orchestra.

Leading the cast are Hannah Leonard as Ti Moune, Daniel Trott as Daniel, Serena Poggi as Asaka (Earth Goddess), Jackie Perron as Agwe (God of the Water), Nicole Kelly as Erzulie (Goddess of Love) and Elena Schoen as Papa Ge (sly Demon of Death). Included in the ensemble are Celeste Garcilazo, Jana Aslesen, Olivia Wallace- Calabrese, Mark Wang, G.J. Hoytt, Jose Texis, Brianna Harris, Celeste Hoytt, Jacob Mason, Louise Gainer, and Mengtian Ma. Also featured are elementary and middle- school students Evelyn Trott, Ally Fry and Lauren Hartley as “little” Ti Mounes.

“’Ti Moune’ is a creole word meaning ‘little orphan’”, said director Pat Nims. “In that sense, Ti Moune’s story is the story of us all as we are all, in one way or another, orphans. ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is a modern fairytale full of danger, excitement, prejudice, laughter and love. It is a beautiful story and demonstration of why we as humans are driven to tell stories to our children.”

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door, and are available at San Marin High School and at www.brownpapertickets.com.