Lea Salonga will play final performance in ONCE ON THIS ISLAND on June 24!

I haven't seen anyone post this yet, so tell me if someone already has!

Article: https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Lea-Salonga-to-Play-Final-Performance-in-ONCE-ON-THIS-ISLAND-on-June-24-Darlesia-Cearcy-to-Take-Over-Erzulie-20180508



"The producers of Broadway's Once On This Island announced today that Lea Salonga will play her final performance in the show on June 24. Current cast member Darlesia Cearcy will take over the role of Erzulie on June 25."



Sad to hear Lea is leaving but Darlesia is a brilliant Erzulie who is very different from Lea but does the role just as well.

I thought she was a great Erzulie, and I've always been a fan... but I remember reading an interview back in December that rubbed me the wrong way, and I was just reminded of it now. (https://www.broadway.com/buzz/190769/lea-salonga-on-returning-to-broadway-in-once-on-this-island-fan-interaction-etiquette-more/)

"“My husband asked, ‘Would the show be eligible for Tonys? Would you be eligible?’ I said, ‘Yeah, because it’s a Broadway revival.’ He said, ‘All right. Then you can go.’ If the hubby gives me a thumbs up, then it’s a good thing. He’s thoughtful. He’s not impulsive. It’s a decision that all of us as a family needs to make.”"

Does anyone know if she was kidding? I mean... surely whether or not you have the potential to win a Tony is not an actual reason to do a show. I thought that she must have been joking around in that statement, but this post-nominations announcement now has me wondering...

LesWickedly said: "Miles, is your Sunday evening free? Once on This a Island does Sunday evening shows and that’ll be Lea’s last."

I’m honestly torn. I planned on seeing Spongebob Sunday night. I don’t really want to give it up (I know, I know, I can’t believe I’m typing that either). The only show I would consider giving up is Carousel (which has received polarized reactions) which has been on and off my list and is now scheduled for Saturday afternoon. No ticket bought for either show. So could axe Carousel, move the Sponge to Saturday matinee and see OOTI Sunday night. I had planned to go to TKTS for all these shows. Anyone think her final performance will sell out?

I just have to add that I have seen Darlesia twice as Erzulie (and once as Mama Euralie) and I thought back in December.."I truly hope she is the one to replace Lea when she leaves." I am so excited for her. Her interpretation of the character is very different and was nice to see 2 completely different versions. Lea is wonderful, but what a brilliant replacement they have selected!

Yeah, as a musical theater kid it was kinda cool to see her live and doing her thing, but this isn't a crazy role for her. She's great in the show, but up to you for sure.

And Judy, to your question, I don't think that's bad at all? I mean, for her to leave her family for 9 months her husband was just making sure it was worth her while. And it sounds like they both decided it was. I don't see any harm in that. Sure, it seems silly that an actor would do a show to garner an award, but it's a nice prize for all the work you put into it. It's like when Arden tweeted something about how mad he was that Hunchback wasn't going to Broadway and people blew up at him about it. I can see their sides of it.

The length of her run isn't that different from Chenoweth's as Glinda. Or Groban's in "Comet." By any standards, it's respectable commitment, especially for such a relatively small role. We could use more stars willing to do six months. Didn't Peters serve approximately that long as The Witch*? It's a good thing.



*Sept 29 - March 27. 6 months.

Updated On: 5/9/18 at 07:37 AM

Miles2Go2 said: "LesWickedly said: "Honestly if it messes with your schedule a lot, just stick with Monday night. Lea was fine, but unless you're a huge fan of hers, you aren't missing much."

Thanks. I think I’ll wait til I am in NYC to decide. I admire Lea, but I wouldn’t say I’m a fanboy.This would’ve been my first time to see her live.

Currently , I have a very aggressive (a friend’s description after I sent him my list) list:

- [x] Skintight (starts previews 5/31) (Closing 8/26) (P) Tuesday 7:30 p.m. (purchased)
- [ ] Angels in America (closes 7/1) (P) 1 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Wednesday
- [x] Three Tall Women (closes 6/24) (P) Thursday 7:00 p.m. (purchased)
- [x] My Fair Lady (M) Friday 8:00 p.m. (purchased)
- [ ] Carousel (M) 2 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. Saturday
- [x] The Boys in the Band (previews start 4/30) (Closes 8/11) (P) 2 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. Saturday (purchased)
- [x] The Iceman Cometh (P) Sunday matinee 2:00 p.m. (purchased)
- [ ] Spongebob Squarepants (M) 6:30 Sunday
- [ ] Once on This Island (M) 8:00 Monday

Part of me thinks I’d like that last Monday free to have a relaxing last dinner that night before I fly home on Tuesday, In that case, I’ll cut Carousel and shift Spongebob and OOTI accordingly."

Miles, SpongeBob has only a 3:00 p.m. show on 6/24, so you might want to move OOTI anyway.

Updated On: 5/9/18 at 07:47 AM

Miles2Go2 said: "CT2NYC said: "Miles2Go2 said: "LesWickedly said: "Honestly if it messes with your schedule a lot, just stick with Monday night. Lea was fine, but unless you're a huge fan of hers, you aren't missing much."

Thanks. I think I’ll wait til I am in NYC to decide. I admire Lea, but I wouldn’t say I’m a fanboy.This would’ve been my first time to see her live.

Currently , I have a very aggressive (a friend’s description after I sent him my list) list:

- [x] Skintight (starts previews 5/31) (Closing 8/26) (P) Tuesday 7:30 p.m. (purchased)
- [ ] Angels in America (closes 7/1) (P) 1 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Wednesday
- [x] Three Tall Women (closes 6/24) (P) Thursday 7:00 p.m. (purchased)
- [x] My Fair Lady (M) Friday 8:00 p.m. (purchased)
- [ ] Carousel (M) 2 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. Saturday
- [x] The Boys in the Band (previews start 4/30) (Closes 8/11) (P) 2 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. Saturday (purchased)
- [x] The Iceman Cometh (P) Sunday matinee 2:00 p.m. (purchased)
- [ ] Spongebob Squarepants (M) 6:30 Sunday
- [ ] Once on This Island (M) 8:00 Monday

Part of me thinks I’d like that last Monday free to have a relaxing last dinner that night before I fly home on Tuesday, In that case, I’ll cut Carousel and shift Spongebob and OOTI accordingly."

Miles, SpongeBob has only a 3:00 p.m. show on 6/24, so you might want to move OOTI anyway."

Wow, I just checked. You’reright! I was going by the current schedule. Okay, cutting Carousel from schedule. Will aim for OOTI on Sunday night and Spongebob for Saturday matinee. Do you think OOTI will sell out for her final performance?"

I expect it will sell well, once word circulates. As of right now, there's a ton of availability. Also, if you want a great seat with a lot of legroom for SpongeBob, I highly recommend side orchestra seat M 2. It's $99 with discount code BOX on Ticketmaster.

Bettyboy72 said: "Having seen both, I preferred Darlesia. Darlesia's voice has an earthiness and a sensuality that Lea's does not. No disrespect to Lea, I love her. Just think in the conceptualization of the show, Darlesia is a better fit."

Couldn't agree more! Miles, keep your ticket and enjoy Darlesia! I've already got a ticket for her 2nd performance, and Lea's last.