'Once On This Island' Marks Final Bow For 5 MTC Seniors

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Sunday will be a bittersweet moment for some members of the Moorestown Theater Company. Five seniors will be on stage for the final time during MTC’s performance of “Once on This Island Jr.” at William Allen Middle School.

“They have meant so much to us,” MTC Artistic Director Mark Morgan said. “They have done so many shows with us. … Sunday night will be teary-eyed for them and for the underclassmen. It will be a bittersweet moment.”

They will all have lead roles in the adaptation of this quirky musical about a peasant girl who makes a connection with a rich boy. It explores themes of rich vs. poor, and it opens Thursday night.

Scott, of Moorestown, will play Asaka, Goddess of Earth; Sanie, of Marlton, will play Erzulie, Goddess of Love; Tavormina, of Moorestown, will play Agwe, God of War; Ebo, of Lumberton, will play Ti Moune; and Maahs, of Moorestown, will play Andrea.

Although it has had two tours on Broadway and won a Tony for Best Revival last year, it is not a show audiences see very often. It has a strong pedigree and a good history, Morgan said.
Lynn Ahrens wrote the lyrics and Stephen Flaherty wrote the music for the show. They also handled the music for “Seussical” and “Ragtime.”

“It’s nice to do something you don’t see very often,” Morgan said. “And it’s great to have Jen Grasso as our choreographer. She’s done shows on Broadway. She has done what many of our kids would like to do, and she’s done some creative things with this show.”

It is the first time Morgan will direct “Once on This Island,” but it is not the first time MTC will perform the show. It was the MTC's 11th production, back in 2006. This weekend’s production will be MTC’s 164th overall. The show is made up of 68 cast members, ages 6-18. The show features such memorable songs as “We Dance,” “Mama Will Provide,” and “Why We Tell The Story.”

The show schedule is as follows:

• Thursday, June 6: 6 p.m.
• Friday, June 7: 7 p.m.
• Saturday, June 8: 2 p.m., 7 p.m.
• Sunday, June 9: 1 p.m., 5 p.m.

All performances will take place at William Allen Middle School, 801 North Stanwick Road. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at www.MoorestownTheaterCompany.org or at the door in the lobby 60 minutes before curtain time. The theater will open 30 minutes before each curtain time. All tickets are reserved. Call MTC at 856-778-8357 with any questions or to get group rate information.