Hale Centre Theatre: HCT's "Once On This Island"

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (September 2007) — Hale Centre Theatre (HCT), Utah’s premier family theatre, will present “Once on This Island” October 10 through November 24. HCT’s production of the popular musical will feature a black cast (with two exceptions), acrobatics, strong vocals, live drumming and African, Haitian and Brazilian dancing to bring the legendary Caribbean story to life.

HCT’s actors, in a manner similar to Cirque du Soleil, will become abstract elements of the show beginning with the opening scene when they transform their bodies into the shape of a tree that protects a young girl from a storm. The cast, which will remain on stage for the entire production, transforms into birds, frogs, cars and other set pieces and props including many inspired by the puppetry of “The Lion King” and the visual effects of the Cirque Du Soleil production “Love.”

“The show is spectacular in its simplicity which requires so much more time, effort and thought,” said Andrew Barrus, director. “We are producing and performing ‘Once on This Island’ in a manner that is so vastly different than anything we’ve done before.”

The set for HCT’s “Once on This Island” consists of three massive bridges that connect to the center column of the theatre’s moving stage. As the stage rotates, the bridges move in and out to create several different levels and locations. The most dramatic effect of the production involves one of the bridges transforming, with the help of a specially designed curtain, into a giant banana tree with a large fabric canopy.

“We’ve put in three times the amount of effort, planning and pre production as a typical show,” said Barrus. “We have worked to keep it very primitive which is not a style HCT has done before. This has involved closely coordinating all aspects of the show to accomplish a consistent look and feel.”

All of the costume pieces were created specifically for HCT’s “Once on This Island” and incorporate textured fabrics that mesh with the sets and props. This was essential for the numerous transformations and to accommodate the need for the cast to make costume changes on stage.

“Once on This Island,” which is set on an island in the French Antilles, brings together pop and Caribbean-influenced music. The story revolves around Ti Moune, a poor village girl, who falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy aristocrat. The island gods of Earth, Water, Love and Death send Ti Moune on a journey to find and be with Daniel.

Hale Centre Theatre’s “Once on This Island” is based on Trinidad-born Rosa Guy’s novel, “My Love, My Love.”Both the book adaptation and lyrics were written by Lynn Ahrens, with music by Stephen Flaherty. The show premiered at the Booth Theatre on Broadway in October 1990 and ran for 469 performances.

“Once on This Island” won a 1991 Theatre World Award for LaChanze’s performance as Ti Moune. It received a 1991 Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Musical and eight Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Choreography and Best Direction of a Musical. The London production of “Once on This Island” received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 1995.

HCT’s “Once on This Island” is directed by Barrus, and stars Josephine Scere as Ti Moune; Carleton Bluford as Daniel; Kandyce Gabrielson as Erzulie; Erica Richardsonas Asaka; Marcus Boddie as Agwe; and Sean Carter as Papa Ge. The music director is Anne Puzey, choreographer is Marilyn May Montgomery, costume designer is Peggy Willis, technical director and set designer is Barrus, prop master and projection specialist is Kacey Udy, lighting designer is Spencer Brown, and the sound designer is Mike Williams.

Performances are nightly Oct. 10 through Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. except Oct. 31, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 when the theatre will be closed for Halloween and Thanksgiving. Matinee performances are 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. each Saturday throughout the run as well as at 4 p.m. on Nov. 2, 9, 16, 19 and 23. Ticket prices are: Monday through Thursday and Matinees: Adult $20, Child $15; Friday and Saturday evenings: Adult $23, Child $16. For reservations call (801) 984-9000, or visit HCT's box office at 3333 South Decker Lake Drive in West Valley City. Information and tickets also are available at www.halecentretheatre.org.

Press Contact
Chris Thomas
(801)481-9482
cthomas@intrepidpr.com

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