ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway — Page 9

Clyde15 said: "blaxx said: "Also appearing in the cast as Storytellers?

They are adding a chorus to this?  Why?  The whole point is to have the small cast perform all the characters. 

 

"

I did the show a while ago so I could be wrong but I believe the script contained 5 different storytellers who served as the ensemble members. Now of course the number of storytellers is usually expanded for community theatre to increase the opportunity for people, so it doesn't seem like a super random decision made for the Broadway revival only. The music is beautiful so anything to make it sound fuller will be incredible I'm sure. I don't think I've ever seen a production of this show without a cast of at least 25 

 

The musical was written for 11 performers only.

It's very different when it comes to schools or community theaters and they have to include a larger number of participants. Broadway doesn't have to do that. I always cringe when I see shows like this one or Nunsense, Fantastiks, Forever Plaid, Spelling Bee, etc with a cast of dozens on stage, forced into the show just to not be left out. 

While it may sound nice, there is no point to crowd the small stage for a musical that doesn't need it. I may be wrong but I don't get why make costs go up for a show that has been proven to work with the small cast. 

I guess we'll see but with how expensive it is to run a Broadway show, I'm left scratching my head as to why they picked the small space just to add more people. 

 

CIRCLE (and the show) can handle a few more Actors. and voices.

Less orchestra, more singers.

Looks like Quentin Earl Darrington didn't move with this production. I believe he did the workshop a few months ago.

!!!

 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-Lea-Salonga-Merle-Dandridge-Quentin-Earl-Darrington-Alex-Newell-Join-ONCE-ON-THIS-ISLAND-20170808

Love this!

Salonga is the perfect Erzulie!

Wow. Was not expecting Lea Salonga, or Merle Dandridge for that matter. Two fabulous, big voices with them.

Am I the only one who is cringing at the male Asaka and female Papa Ge? I'll obviously withhold judgment until I see the performances (and will happily eat my words if I'm wrong), but it just feels like a "gender fluidity is a hot topic right now" gimmick.

Or maybe I'm just feeling extra protective of my favorite show. 

For those curious about Alex:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BK4BhbHjRhN/?hl=en

Newell will be great. The characters are Gods, there's no reason they can't be cast in a gender fluid way, even with the "Mama" and "Papa" titles.

It does seem very gimmicky. And I had no interest in this show but I'll see Salonga in anything so darn it.

I am not ready for November 9