ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Returning to Broadway- Page 9

[Clyde15]

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 

[blaxx]

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. 

 

[Emmaloucbway]

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? 

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 8/2/17 at 6:53am

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

Less orchestra, more singers.

[Valentina3]

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.

[DottieD'Luscia]

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.

[JSquared2]

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.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:14am

!!!

 

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

[youwillbefound2]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:19am

Lea Salonga!!!

[curel1]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:20am

Love this!

[ahhrealmonsters]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:21am

And Merle Dandridge. She hasn't been on Broadway since Spamalot, I think. What a voice!

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:22am

Salonga is the perfect Erzulie!

[BroadwayConcierge]

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!

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

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.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:30am

Who's going to replace Quentin in Cats?

[JudyDenmark]

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. 

[VintageSnarker]

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.

[TrChSpHa]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 11:58am

For those curious about Alex:

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

[barcelona20]

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......

"

 

[IdinaBellFoster]

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.

[funhamilton_rent]

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.

[RippedMan]

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.

[Kavana]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 12:12pm

Arden is trolling.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 12:15pm

I am not ready for November 9 

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 8/8/17 at 12:43pm

Newell sounds so damn good!