ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway- Page 9
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#200
Posted: 8/2/17 at 3:23am
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#201
Posted: 8/2/17 at 3:45am
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.
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#202
Posted: 8/2/17 at 5:37am
GeorgeandDot said: "I would kill to hear Heather Headley sing "Part of the Human Heart."
"
Me too!!
And didn't she tease a possible Broadway return right when her run in Color Purple ended?
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#203
Posted: 8/2/17 at 6:53am
CIRCLE (and the show) can handle a few more Actors. and voices.
Less orchestra, more singers.
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#204
Posted: 8/2/17 at 8:37am
Arden does inventive staging. I wouldn't be surprised to see performers not be on the physical stage. Circle is a great venue to make a The Great Comet-esque immersive experience with storytellers moving around.
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#205
Posted: 8/2/17 at 8:42am
Looks like Quentin Earl Darrington didn't move with this production. I believe he did the workshop a few months ago.
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#206
Posted: 8/2/17 at 2:07pm
GeorgeandDot said: "^I don't think this is very true. Didn't he produce The Bridges of Madison County and The Visit? Both had Broadway stars in them. Spring Awakening didn't, but I don't think that's a typical thing for him."
He was an investor in those shows --- not a producer --- he had no say in the creative elements.
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#207
Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:14am
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#210
Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:21am
And Merle Dandridge. She hasn't been on Broadway since Spamalot, I think. What a voice!
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#211
Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:22am
Salonga is the perfect Erzulie!
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/24/15
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#212
Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:22am
I'd been going back and forth on whether I want to see this, and well, Lea Salonga just moved me over. Tickets purchased!
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#213
Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:24am
Wow. Was not expecting Lea Salonga, or Merle Dandridge for that matter. Two fabulous, big voices with them.
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#214
Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:30am
Who's going to replace Quentin in Cats?
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#215
Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:52am
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.
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#216
Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:53am
What? I don't know how to process this casting. It doesn't really make sense to me... but I NEED to see it. Damn you, Ken Davenport. Fine, take my money.
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#217
Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:58am
For those curious about Alex:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BK4BhbHjRhN/?hl=en
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#218
Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:59am
JudyDenmark said: "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.
Ken Davenport trying to use a gimmick to get attention!? Never......
"
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#219
Posted: 8/8/17 at 12:03pm
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.
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#220
Posted: 8/8/17 at 12:05pm
I know they're trying to cast an unknown, but I feel like Cynthia Erivo would slay as Ti Moune. Might feel too obvious, but I can't find one reason why it wouldn't work.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#221
Posted: 8/8/17 at 12:05pm
It does seem very gimmicky. And I had no interest in this show but I'll see Salonga in anything so darn it.
Featured Actor Joined: 5/16/03
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway#223
Posted: 8/8/17 at 12:15pm
I am not ready for November 9 
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