ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway — Page 12

All I can think is... after the Caribbean has been devastated by two back-to-back catastrophic storms, that's the set you go with for a Broadway musical?

Valentina3 said "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."

We must be out of things to complain about if we're now b*tching about the model of the set looking like a model of the set.

RippedMan said: "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."

"Gritty" feels like the wrong word so maybe "grounded"? I don't think it's so much "found" theater but I will think there will a framing device of sorts where you're conscious that these characters are putting on a story. That is, I think you're going to them, not that they moved in and brought all that sand. That's similar to the original production, right? That's why there are "storytellers."

From these photos, it seems like it will be very straightforward. I would expect the actors to stay in plainclothes the whole time. I don't expect them to change over the set for when she goes to live with Daniel. I'm guessing that the conceit is that the people who live in the community are telling this story. And given the way the set looks, I don't think they (the villagers) would have the budget for a kind of glossy dream sequence so I'm not expecting much in the way of costumes but maybe they'll have some colorful pieces. It's easy enough to explain someone owning one nice dress.

Vintage, that sounds spot on to me. Just seems like they aren't trying to "transport" us somewhere since the back wall is visible. 

 

After watching these all i can say is wow. She is pure talent! And the Mama will provide was also really good. The set model like many of you said was eh but hopefully it will look better in lights. But overall im impressed with Arden and the Cast

The storm came and blew all the instruments away

GeorgeandDot said: "Are those the orchestrations? Can we get a reed? A woodwind? Maybe a little brass? Maybe a string or two? I wasn't expecting for it to just be a piano, drums, and a trash can."

You are probably not familiar with the orchestrations for Once On This Island. Read this.

https://www.mtishows.com/once-on-this-island

 

It's a rehearsal video--the orchestra has not been added yet, just rehearsal pianist and percussion. Why would you think that is the final orchestration? 

^Wow nice personal attack. Sometimes when they do press events like this they are joined by the full orchestra/band. A recent example of this is The Band's Visit. Also, from what I've heard, these might be the actual orchestrations. When the production was announced they said that the score would be accompanied by "trash." I assumed that, that meant they would be adding some color of some sort to an orchestra that would be accompanying the show. Also, in the recent interview with Ahrens and Flaherty, they mention that the score has been stripped back and is being accompanied by "trashtruments." I'm just hoping that these aren't the full orchestrations, but I fear that they might be.

Updated On: 10/26/17 at 02:09 AM

I'm sure she was nervous, but there's a clip on the BroadWaysted Instagram story of Kilgore absolutely botching the "We'll Drive" part of "Waiting for Life". 

That they held a "nation-wide search" for Ti Moune and I wasn't impressed with their result.

Call_me_jorge said: "Not sure if this has been mentioned, but Nikki M. James will be theassistant director! I can't wait to see what Arden and James envision.https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/nikki-m-james-82575"

I was just going through the shows IDBD Page and I didn’t notice Nikki’s name. Was it announced anywhere that she had left the show? I wonder why.