Visit the Caribbean with the Cast of "Once on This Island" at Birmingham Village Players

Once On This Island, the first production of Birmingham Village Players (BVP) 104th season, is the story of a peasant girl who falls in love with a wealthy boy and makes a deal with the gods to save his life. The musical is loosely based on the Hans Christian Anderson fable "The Little Mermaid" and uses the culture, folklore, music, myth and the storytelling traditions of the Caribbean to tell the tale.

"The talent in this cast is amazing," said Daniel Valentine, the director of the production. "The role of Ti Moune is double-cast because the two women were both so good it was impossible to choose." Valencia Morgan of Southfield and Shayna Duncan of Dearborn share the role. Morgan was last seen on the BVP stage as Princess Winnefred in Once Upon a Mattress in January. This is Duncan's first time with Village Players.

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The story begins with a young girl, frightened by a storm. She is comforted by the Village Storytellers as they share the story of Ti Moune. The girls who play Little Ti Moune are also double cast and will be performed by Logan Squirewell from Southfield and Zoey Bolden of Commerce Township.

The is told on stage by the Storytellers: Cherished Kirkland of Troy; Daelin Whitfield from Dearborn Heights who is also double-cast as Papa Ge; Jair Alexander of Dearborn; Kennidee Barnes from Rochester Hills; Natalie Craigof Detroit; Plum Slee from Waterford Township; and Eric Brown of Macomb. Brown was last seen on the BVP stage two years ago as Gator in Memphis.

At the center of the story are the scene-stealing Gods:Asaka, Mother of the Earth, played by Melanie Jones of West Bloomfield; Agwe, God of Water, played by Kodie Chandler of Southfield; Papa Ge, Sly Demon of Death, played by Odera Office from Detroit; and Erzulie, Beautiful Goddess of Love, brought to life by Stacey Barrett of Highland Park. Barrett was last seen on the BVP stage as Felicia in Memphis.

Agwe creates a storm that ravages the island. The gods choose to save a young orphan by placing her safely in a tree. She is later adopted by Mama Euralie played by Nicole Tindall of Detroit and TonTon Julian who is brought to life by Branden Omoregie of Farmington Hills.

Years later the grown up Ti Moune falls in love with Daniel, a rich young man from the other side of the island who is played by Kalen Rogers of Rochester. Daniel's disapproving father, Armand, is portrayed by Kevin Little Jr. of Southfield. Jennifer Dewey from Detroit plays Daniel's high society fiance, Andrea.

"For me, the heart of Once On This Island is resilience, love, hope, community, and the power of storytelling. I'm so proud we get to share this production with the community," said Valentine. "Audiences will experience something they've never seen before."

The Tony Award-winning musical Once On This Island features a book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty and is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (www.mtishows.com). It runs September 18 - October 4.

Individual tickets for $30 and Flex Ticket Packages for all shows are available by contacting the box office at 248-644-2075 or visiting the ticket page on the website, www.birminghamvillageplayers.com. Flex Packages are available in three sizes (five, ten or 20 tickets) that allow you to use them at your discretion throughout the season. You can book one ticket for each show or all tickets on one show.

The 104th season continues with The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again] on November 6-22, 2026, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee running January 15 - 31, 2027, Amadeus on stage March 5 - 21, 2027 and concludes with Oklahoma! from April 30 - May 16, 2027.

About The Village Players:

The Village Players of Birmingham, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit community theater, presents high-quality dramatic, comedic, and musical productions. Everyone is invited to participate on stage, backstage, or as an audience member in the theater's main stage, youth theater, and Playwrights@Work productions and programs. The Village Players have been entertaining the community from its location at 34660 Woodward Avenue in Birmingham since 1926.