Once on this island casting

The script actually comes with author approved revisions that allow you to use a non-black cast.

I think the story looses it's power though, but it has been done many times.

"Optional text substitutions from the authors allow “Once On This Island” to be performed in the amateur market by actors of any race, making the minimal production requirements of this moving, uplifting show even more flexible."
Music Theatre International

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With an all-white cast (or non-black cast) the conflict of the show is not race anymore, but social status, which isn't nearly as dramatic or effective. Also, the show takes place on a Carribean island, and if an all-white cast does the accent, they all just look like jackasses (trust me, I've been in one of those productions). After seeing an all-black version just recently, it became VERY clear that it just shouldn't be done with a multi-ethnic cast (unless it's high school or youth theatre). The power just isn't there.

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It's just kind of weird, because if you're doing the show in the context it was originally intended artistically, you would have Carribean accents AND traditional haitian dancing. Seeing white kids do stuff like that would be really strange. Luckily, the youth theatre production I've seen haven't tried the traditional dancing. (though they have tried the accents)

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