Posted: 2/17/18 at 3:09pm
Does anyone know when/if Merle Dandridge will be returning to Once On This Island? I'm looking into getting tickets to see the show again but would like to see her.
Thanks!
Posted: 2/17/18 at 4:31pm
When did she leave this show? I've become quite a fan of hers after watching 'Greenleaf' the past two seasons, and the only reason I would want to go see OOTI is to see her on B'way. I was planning on making a trip to NY in the next month or so.
Posted: 2/17/18 at 4:34pm
David10086 said: "When did she leave this show? I've become quite a fan of hers after watching 'Greenleaf' the past two seasons, and the only reason I would want to go see OOTI is to see her on B'way. I was planning on making a trip to NY in the next month or so."
I believe she left in the beginning of January.
Posted: 2/18/18 at 11:59am
I didn't know that. Maybe she left to continue filming 'Greenleaf' for OWN? I think the new season starts in late March / early April.
Posted: 2/18/18 at 3:50pm
David10086 said: "I didn't know that. Maybe she left to continue filming 'Greenleaf' for OWN? I think the new season starts in late March / early April."
Yes, it as mentioned that filming was the reason for her contractual leave. No return date has been announced for her or Quentin, the actor who originated Agwe.
Posted: 2/18/18 at 4:06pm
Littleshopofcarrie said: "Does anyone know when/if Merle Dandridge will be returning to Once On This Island? I'm looking into getting tickets to see the show again but would like to see her.
Thanks!"
I saw it twice, once with Merle and once with Tamyra. They were both amazing and each one brought something special to the role.
Posted: 2/18/18 at 4:43pm
Posted: 2/18/18 at 11:01pm
I'm sure she will be back as soon as possible on her filming wraps. She will want to be back close to Tony nomination time to be seen by nominators. Having seen her in the show, I think she has a chance at a featured actress nom... pending the rest of the spring shows opening of course but certainly a contender.
Posted: 5/22/18 at 2:51pm
Yay!!! I'm so glad she's coming back! Can't wait to see her Papa Ge again.
Posted: 5/22/18 at 2:53pm
I wish she was coming back a week earlier so I could see her again. I might have to modify the plans for my July trip to see this again, she was just SO GOOD.
Posted: 5/22/18 at 2:55pm
Posted: 5/22/18 at 3:31pm
ACL2006 said: "I wonder why it's only for two months?"
I’m actually surprised that she’s coming back at all.
Posted: 5/22/18 at 3:32pm
I wouldn't be surprised if her currently scheduled departure date ends up being the production's closing date.
Posted: 5/22/18 at 3:37pm
BroadwayConcierge said: "I wouldn't be surprised if her currently scheduleddeparture date ends up being the production's closing date."
my thoughts exactly
Posted: 5/22/18 at 3:58pm
she was leaps and bounds ahead of tamyra. so much better. tamyra did this weird raspy thing with her voice and these weird jerky movements that made the character laughable. merle was dark and mysterious and sexy and sinister.
Posted: 5/22/18 at 4:55pm
God, she's been gone since what, January? I loved Tamyra so much, I don't even understand why she is coming back in June and then leaving again in two months. And no, it won't be the closing date since Tamyra will once again be taking over the role August 20th as reported by several articles.
Posted: 5/22/18 at 5:11pm
EllieRose2 said: "And no, it won't be the closing date since Tamyra will once again be taking over the role August 20th as reported by several articles."
That's obviously what the production has to say; if it didn't, then rumors of the show closing on August 19 would really begin. It doesn't mean Gray returning is set in stone, though. Just based on grosses, I can't see the show lasting past Labor Day, especially with its chances for the Tony looking pretty grim up against My Fair Lady. I guess we'll see what happens in the coming weeks 
