ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway — Page 11
Posted: 8/15/17 at 12:01pm
Nothing more exciting than fresh talent! Can't wait to see her.
Posted: 8/15/17 at 12:07pm
Wasn't the whole point of the international casting call to cast someone from the Caribbean, though?
Posted: 8/15/17 at 12:39pm
Fordham2015 said: "Wasn't the whole point of the international casting call to cast someone from the Caribbean, though?"
That was just where they were starting the talent search (in Haiti). There was no guarantee that they'd find the right actress there. The main goal was to find a talented unknown, which it looks like they did!
Posted: 8/15/17 at 12:39pm
Vid of the casting announcement
http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/hailey-kilgore-once-on-this-island-video_82072.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=15aug2017
Her reaction is hilarious!
Posted: 8/15/17 at 4:28pm
Sooo happy she's been cast! I love her voice, she'll be a great Ti Moune.
Posted: 8/15/17 at 9:33pm
She's gorgeous and that announcement video was adorable. Have they announced who is playing Daniel yet?
Posted: 8/15/17 at 9:38pm
Issac Powell is playing Daniel
Posted: 8/15/17 at 9:38pm
Updated On: 8/15/17 at 09:38 PM
Posted: 8/16/17 at 12:42pm
curel1 said: "Vid of the casting announcement
http://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/hailey-kilgore-once-on-this-island-video_82072.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=15aug2017
Her reaction is hilarious!"
Thanks! But is there a non-Flash version of this somewhere?
Posted: 8/17/17 at 8:37am
So apparently cast members from this revival will be performing at Grand Central's Summer Send-Off on August 24th. I plan on checking it out...I think this will be the very first "sneak peek" of the show?
Link
Posted: 8/17/17 at 11:04am
Her reaction was seriously the best. I really want to see this production now. Plus, I don't know I'm ever going to get another chance to see a Broadway production of this show in my lifetime.
Posted: 8/24/17 at 8:24am
Today is the 1:30pm performance at Grand Central Terminal. Casts of A Bronx Tale, Bandstand, Stomp, and Anastasia will also be there- an awesome lineup! Anyone want to meet me there?
Posted: 8/24/17 at 5:18pm
Could someone with a greater knowledge of musical theatre please fill in this blank for me? "If you enjoyed _________, you would also enjoy OOTI."
I'm trying to decide if I should catch this for a matinee when I'm in town in December for The Band's Visit. I've listened to the OBC recording and had a lukewarm reaction - didn't find it great, but I liked some of it, and I understand the appeal. I might still like to see this show, particularly with this cast, but I'm not sure I'd choose to pay full price.
Speculation is of limited value, of course, but what are the chances that with this cast the show might be on TDF / TKTS?
Posted: 8/24/17 at 5:57pm
That's a difficult question to answer, especially given this is entirely reconceived for a very different production than the original. I absolutely LOVED the original production, but it was quite unique and I struggle to find a fair comparison. The score speaks for itself on the cast recording. The original staging relied on much creativity and imagination through various props, drapes and costumes. It unfolded as story theatre narrated by the Gods of the story. Conceptually, I'd probably compare to the likes of Godspell, though with a slightly more traditional narrative style. The original designs were colorful and gorgeous and it was so fluidly staged and choreographed. The clip provided for the Tony awards captures some of the energy, but lacks the visual punch of the actual production. It was poignant, emotional and ultimately joyous.
I wish I could find more photos of the original production online. I'll always remember the gorgeous staging of Waiting for Life to Begin through Rain.
Updated On: 8/24/17 at 05:57 PM
Posted: 8/24/17 at 8:26pm
MattRVA said: "Could someone with a greater knowledge of musical theatre please fill in this blank for me? "If you enjoyed _________, you would also enjoy OOTI."
That's a hard game to play with OOTI. It's contemporary musical theater not like Jason Robert Brown but in the sense that it feels more accessible in a way. More in the vein of Hair and Disney stuff than classic musicals. The plot is pretty straightforward. You're focused on an ingenue and there's a romantic couple being kept apart by class differences, etc. But I wouldn't automatically said you'd enjoy it if you enjoyed West Side Story.
I'd say it's a bright, joyful show kind of like Hair, The Little Mermaid, possibly Shrek, Cabin in the Sky, etc. Even though there's melodrama, it's generally pretty entertaining vs. something that's supposed to make you weepy or engage you too much intellectually. If cast correctly, the strength of the score is clear, strong (almost unamplified sounding) voices vs. great orchestrations or complicated melodies. It's not a dumb show but it's along the lines of a fairy tale/love story.
Acknowledging that speculation is of limited value, unless it's getting raves by December, you might be OK waiting on tickets. To me, Lea Salonga is the biggest name and she couldn't sell Allegiance. Circle in the Square is a small theater which means fewer tickets are available each night. But we're all familiar with Davenport's shenanigans, plus, he does favor rushes/lotteries and different discounts. But if it does manage to get raves, it might be tougher to get a good seat. So really it's up to you if you want to chance it.
Posted: 8/24/17 at 10:39pm
Circle in the Square is a small theater which means fewer tickets are available each night. But we're all familiar with Davenport's shenanigans, plus, he does favor rushes/lotteries and different discounts.
And yet, he couldn't get Godspell to sell in the same space.
Posted: 8/24/17 at 10:54pm
I hate to be "that guy" and like, I hope I get proven wrong, but I just cannot imagine any scenario where this production is a commercial success, or will run for long at all. No one knows the show by name, the cast won't sell tickets to anyone outside of the theater community who would've seen it anyway, and we all know Davenports track record.
Posted: 8/25/17 at 4:15pm
Thanks to both Mister Matt and VintageSnarker. Those posts are both very helpful. I think I'll hold out for now and wait for the reviews. Even if tickets sell briskly, I figure there's no truly terrible seat at Circle in the Square.
Posted: 8/28/17 at 5:26pm
At this point I'm just waiting on a discount code. Do I want to see Once on this Island? Yes. Do I want to pay $80? Ehhhhhhhhhh....
VintageSnarker said: "To me, Lea Salonga is the biggest name and she couldn't sell Allegiance. "
Allegiance was also a hot mess. Not sure anyone could save that show.
Updated On: 8/28/17 at 05:26 PM
Posted: 10/2/17 at 1:32am
Some photos of a model of the set:
https://ibb.co/fgJRkb
https://ibb.co/nAOsQb
https://ibb.co/hRjABG
Updated On: 10/2/17 at 01:32 AM
Posted: 10/2/17 at 4:09pm
Not sure what to make of that? I guess they're going for a "found" theater vibe of like these people move in and tell this story kind of thing? But then what is that thing sticking out into the audience? Hm.
Posted: 10/2/17 at 4:21pm
Looks like a broken power line that fell over
Posted: 10/2/17 at 4:21pm
Not a fan of the set. What I love about this story is that it's a fairy tale. The set has too much reality brought into it
Posted: 10/2/17 at 4:40pm
Wildcard said: "Not a fan of the set. What I love about this story is that it's a fairy tale. The set has too much reality brought into it"
I think it the giant set pieces like the boat and broken hut will mostly be in the dark when story-telling is going on. I don't know this of course, but guessing it by how they've been put on the extreme sides in this model. It might work really well if they effectively use staging, lighting, and even the elevators Fun Home installed in that house, to give it a surreal "look at this space transform" quality.
I do hate how diorama-esque this looks. I have come to expect higher quality set models since Korins and Rockwell got some visibility in past few seasons, and this just looks like a middle schooler made it with the help of his boozy aunt.
