Family Guide for ONCE ON THIS ISLAND |
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Updated: September 16, 2005
Because audiences have different opinions of what may be suitable for our younger patrons, the following information is provided to assist you when deciding what is appropriate for your family. |
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Versions available to preview: Based upon the novel "My Love, My Love" by Rosa Guy, and The Little Mermaid, by Hans Christian Anderson. Production length: 90 minutes (one act). Synopsis: An intimate show, Once On This Island is a Caribbean-flavored adaptation of the popular fairy tale The Little Mermaid. Presented in a dance and movement-driven style reminiscent of story theatre, this one act musical is almost exclusively sung. The story follows Ti Moune, a black peasant girl who rescues, nurses, and falls in love with Daniel, a mulatto from a wealthy family. When Daniel is returned to his people, the gods of the elements, who rule the island, guide Ti Moune on a quest to test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred, and death. A moving story that will capture your imagination and sweep you away with a catchy, contemporary, and Caribbean-flavored score by the Tony® Award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime and the animated film Anastasia) includes tender ballads and rousing celebratory numbers. Once On This Island received eight Tony ® Award Nominations, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. Production Notes (added September 16, 2005): The staging of the love scene between Daniel and Ti Moune involves close physical contact, laying down, and kissing. Sexual content: A story is told of a man who had a wife, "but took his pleasure with the women who served him, black peasant girls from the village beyond." Daniel and Ti Moune lie together (see Production Notes above), characters gossip that he has taken her as his lover. Daniel's family insinuates that he wants her for passion only, he insists he is in love. Language: God and gods said repeatedly, in the context of praying to the gods that rule the island, and otherwise, as well. Violence: There is hatred between the two classes of people portrayed in the story. There are storms, and a car crash. A war between the island natives and the French is told about in story. "Death" is a character, and he may appear menacing. Death tries to convince Ti Moune to kill Daniel with a knife, but she refuses. Ti Moune's own death is told on stage in dance.
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