The Delta Center Stage annual Spring Musical, Once Upon This Island, opens this week at the Jake and Freida Stein Hall at the E.E. Bass Cultural Arts Center.
The musical is based upon the novel “My Love, My Love” by Rosa Guy. The first performance is February 29 at 7 p.m. with shows on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and a Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m.
From the Tony Award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Seussical, Ragtime), comes this Olivier Award-winning musical. This highly original and theatrical Caribbean adaptation of the popular fairy tale, "The Little Mermaid," garnered eight Tony nominations for its Broadway run, including Best Musical, Book and Score.
Ti Moune, a peasant girl, rescues a wealthy boy from the other side of the island, Daniel, with whom she falls in love.
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. Her determination and capacity to love, though, is not enough to win Daniel's heart, and Ti Moune pays the ultimate price; but the gods turn Ti Moune into a tree that grows so strong and so tall, it breaks the wall that separates the societies and ultimately unites them.
Lucille Reece Brown is directing the show and it’s her second role as director at Delta Center Stage.
“The audience should pay attention to the spectacular vocals of the singers and the desire for love in the storyline,” Browm said. “I chose to direct this because I saw several productions and was interested in the love and energy of the show. I imagined that the community needed to see this energy on stage.”
Tatiana James plays Ti Moune and this is her third show at Delta Center Stage.
“I like that they are trying to express to the younger generations there is a reason to tell stories and keep someone’s legacy going,” James said. “The dancing for sure. The dancing and the music are amazing.”
Capria Belle is in her first show at DCS and is a storyteller.
“I went to a DCS production, Waitress, thought it was so much fun,” Belle said. “I figured what the heck I should audition.”
Mitchell Reece is a junior at Greenville High School and plays the role of Daniel Bazone in his third show at DCS.
“The dancing, I really love the dancing,” Reece said. “It’s really colorful and vibrant. I feel like we can just let loose in the dancing.”
Robert Wivy plays Pappa Gay.
“I get to actually just be a little bit of myself,” Wivy said. “I get to pick on people a little bit and he tries to get them to accept death is stronger than love. I like playing villains and the bad guy.”
