Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Tony-nominated musical Once on This Island opens at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in London May 17 after starting previews May 10. Running at the outdoor venue through June 10, the musical stars Olivier nominee Gabrielle Brooks (Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical) as Ti Moune.
Based on the Rosa Guy novel My Love, My Love, the musical also stars Stephenson Ardern-Sodje (Hamilton) as Daniel, Courtney-Mae Briggs as Andrea, Jonathon Grant as Armand, Emilie Louise Israel as Erzulie, Chris Jarman as Tonton, Anelisa Lamola as Asaka, Natasha Magigi as Mama Euralie, Ashley Samuels as Agwe, and Lejaun Sheppard as Papa Ge. Once on This Island unfolds as a group of storytellers—caught in the midst of an unrelenting storm—recount the tale of Ti Moune, a Caribbean island country girl in love with an aristocrat.
The ensemble features Bernadette Bangura, Hanna Dimtsu, Nay-Nay, Cassandra Lee, Cherece Richards, Mikel Sylvanus, and Marco Titus. The role of Young Ti Moune is shared by Janai Bartlett, Lexi Kowlessar, Nesisa Mhindu, Kirsten Muzvuru, Nielle Springer, and Olivia St Louis.
Ola Ince directs Once on This Island joined on the creative team by musical director Chris Poon, choreographer Kenrick ‘H2O’ Sandy, musical supervisor Phil Bateman, lighting designer Jessica Hung Han Yun, sound designer Nick Lidster, set designer Georgia Lowe, fight director Philip d'Orléans, costume designer Melissa Simon-Hartman, casting director Jacob Sparrow, and voice and text director Annemette Verspeak. Ingrid Mackinnon provides intimacy support.
With a book and lyrics by Ahrens and music by Flaherty, the musical premiered on Broadway in 1990. It earned eight Tony nominations, including Best Musical. The original 1995 West End production won the Olivier for Best New Musical, and the most recent Broadway production won the 2018 Tony for Best Revival of a Musical.
For ticket information visit OpenAirTheatre.com.
