I obviously am a little biased, since I run their website, but I wanted to chime in here and say that ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is my absolute favorite show of all time.
I will NEVER forget the day I saw the tour. I got a free ticket, as a Kennedy Center volunteer. I had no expectation s whatsoever. 90 minutes later, it was like my world had transformed. The show was such a perfect blend of song and story--- no huge sets, no garrish costumes, no grandstanding, no ridiculously loud amplification. Just a great story with a lovely score and a magical lesson about the power of storytelling and the sacrifices people make for love.
It was the first time (I thought) that I had ever heard of Ahrens & Flaherty,and the first time I really understood that the writers are the backbone of musical theater. When I read the Playbill, I realized that Lynn had written for SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK, which was a cornerstone of my childhood. I knew that day that somehow I was supposed to know this person, or at least know her work.
And, 10 years later, lots has happened. But, I still remember that day as if it were yesterday. ONCE ON THIS ISLAND will always be a magical show to me. If it doesn't speak to you, perhaps you saw a bad production, b/c it is one that is hard to do well. And, as for the lyrics, I believe they are absolutely perfect for the characters who speak and sing them. Perhaps one day there will be a revival and those who aren't familiar with the show can discover it. And maybe, hopefully, those who don't appreciate it now can have a second look.
Ronni
The Ahrens & Flaherty website
