Cassondra James News

“This—something, life and...breath?” my friend read as she tried to decode my jumbled mess of notes while I drove us home from the show. “Oh no,” I answered, 'that says, 'This musical lives and breathes.” That short phrase is the most indicative of my experience at ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, a show whose movement, melodies, and people formed together before us, seemingly as a new animate creature. A tale of “two worlds never meant to meet”, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND delivers a 90-minute sung-through litany of joyous song, dance, and storytelling.

Joe's Pub has released its schedule for Feb 12-22! Brown Girls Burlesque: Love Got Game - Valentine's Edition (Feb. 12), Isaac Oliver Is Your Valentine (Feb. 13), and Lea DeLaria: f**k Love and more will take to the stage!

Once On This Island, playing at the Ordway Theatre through February 9th, is an exhilarating musical fable that seeks to transport the audience into the world of Haitian folklore through a story of love, resilience and sacrifice.

This month and beyond artists at Joe's Pub a?" a program and venue of The Public Theater a?" will honor legends and inspirations from across the universe of music. From shows featuring the indelible classic hits of singers like The Rat Pack, Chaka Kahn, and David Bowie to tributes of Dolly Parton and Bette Midler at the beginning of their careers, audiophiles and nostalgists have plenty to look forward to at Joe's Pub.

Love is in the air at Joe's Pub! Excited for Valentine's Day? Check out Stew & Heidi of The Negro Problem: Black History Valentine's Day Month (Feb. 5), Brown Girls Burlesque: Love Got Game - Valentine's Edition (Feb. 12), and Isaac Oliver Is Your Valentine (Feb. 13). Hate Valentine's Day? Then, Lea DeLaria: f**k Love is your ticket (Feb. 14). Indifferent to Valentine's Day? See Barb Jungr: Bob, Brel and Me (Feb. 14 & 15). Also, for the love of music and performance, don't miss Southern Avenue's soul/blues/R&B fusion (Feb. 5), The Loser's Lounge: The Rat Pack - Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and More (Feb. 6-8), Celtic legends Genticorum (Feb. 9), renown soul singer Morgan James (Feb. 9), celebrated feminist comic Jaime Loftus (Feb. 10), game changing singer-songwriter-guitarist FLAX (Feb. 11), an exploration of early Dolly Parton with Nath Ann Carrera (Feb. 12), mesmerizing soul performances at Xavier and Friends: Ladies Of Soul Tribute - Special Chaka Khan Edition (Feb. 13), and raucous live music with rib-tickling storytelling from the award winning MESHELLE (Feb. 15).

The national tour of Michael Arden's Tony Award-winning revival of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND has arrived in Chicago in a blaze of color and light. While Arden's production makes clear that the tropical island in the French Antilles where the musical takes place is no stranger to the devastating effects of natural disasters, it's also a staging filled with joy and rich visuals. Dane Laffrey's found objects aesthetic for the scenic design also conveys the musical's occupancy between the nebulous space of reality and the mystical world of the four gods that guide the musical's protagonist Ti Moune on her journey.

The North American Tour of the Tony Award-winning revival of Once On This Island appears at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts from Feb. 18 to March 1. For ticketing information, visit TUTS.com.

Through a combination of brilliantly creative stagecraft and psychologically complex characterizations, the current touring production of the ONCE ON THIS ISLAND revival immerses audiences in an experience unlike any other, one in which the power of a story creates a new world from every possible human emotion right before our eyes.

The National tour of Once On This Island is now officially on the road across the country! Once On This Island will play over 25 cities in its first year on tour. Get a first look at all new production photos!

Filled with beauty and magic, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND tells the sweeping, universal tale of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl in search of her place in the world, and ready to risk it all for love. Guided by the mighty island gods, Ti Moune sets out on a remarkable journey to reunite with the man who has captured her heart.

The National tour of Once On This Island is now officially open in Nashville, TN at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC). Once On This Island will play over 25 cities in its first year on tour.

Visually stunning. Inventively staged. Compellingly acted. Beautifully told. Utterly delightful. Heartrendingly poignant. What more can be said about Once On This Island, the Lynn Ahrens-Stephen Flaherty musical which launched its national tour in Nashville last night with a remarkable opening performance before a capacity crowd in Andrew Jackson Hall? The critical raves, audience adulation and awards for the recent Broadway revival of the Caribbean-influenced musical were enough to attract ticket-buyers, to be certain, but the sheer artistry of the production and its amazingly talented cast will be more than enough to propel the company forward on their cross-country tour where, we suspect, the accolades will continue to be bestowed upon the heartfelt and authentic story.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, the tour of the Tony-winning revival of Once on This Island will launch at The Carson Center for Performing Arts in Paducah, KY on October 12, 2019, followed by its official opening in Nashville, TN at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) on October 15, 2019. Once On This Island will play over 25 cities in its first year on tour. Click here for a full list of tour stops.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, the tour of the Tony-winning revival of Once on This Island will launch at The Carson Center for Performing Arts in Paducah, KY on October 12, 2019, followed by its official opening in Nashville, TN at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) on October 15, 2019. Once On This Island will play over 25 cities in its first year on tour. Click here for a full list of tour stops.

Cast members from the Broadway company will lead the national tour of 2017 Broadway revival of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND!

The Colorado New Play Festival announces full casting for all five readings for the 2019 season. The 22nd Annual Festival, to be held on June 2-8, 2019 in Steamboat Springs, CO, will develop five new works in partnership with City Theatre Company, Curious Theatre Company, The Public Theater, South Coast Repertory and Steppenwolf Theatre.

Having made her Broadway debut in 2017 as Ti Moune in ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, the audience cheered Hailey Kilgore as she ran onstage at Feinstein's/54 Below in a green, flowing dress for her opening number, 'The Wizard and I,' announcing in song this is what she's 'waited for since birth!' Making her solo debut on Jan. 30, her enthusiasm was infectious, her voice shimmered through each sustained note, and even those who knew her seemed surprised at the volume and strength that carried each song.

As BroadwayWorld previously announced, Lea Salonga steps back into the role of Erzulie in Once On This Island, beginning today, December 27.

BroadwayWorld has learned that Michelle Williams has been advised by her doctors to take a leave of absence from performing. Lea Salonga, who originated the role in this production will play Erzulie from December 27 through its final performance on January 6.

It was announced today that the Tony Award winning Best Revival will close on Sunday, January 6, 2019. When it closes this production will have played 29 previews and 458 performances.