David Hemphill and Black Theatre Troupe are expanding their horizons. By presenting the cute Flaherty and Ahrens musical Once on this Island in the Herberger Theatre's Stage West and bringing Phoenix Theatre's Artistic Director Michael Barnard onboard as Director and Choreographer, the company is attempting to show that they are in the same league as the big players. In the years that Mr. Hemphill has been running the company, both the quality and the daringness of the productions has increased. This next logical step, moving to potentially become one of the resident theatres of the Herberger, is aided by the success of this production. Once on this Island isn't perfect, but its success bodes well for the troupes future plans.
The show, written by the same team that created Ragtime and Seussical: The Musical, is a musical fairy tale with a Caribbean flare. During a storm, the islanders comfort a young girl with the story of a man and a woman from separate worlds who are brought together in an impossible romance by the gods of earth, water, love, and death. This short, intermissionless evening is full of sweet tunes and energetic dancing.
Mr. Barnard is the right man to helm this production. His choreography is impassioned and explosive. His stage pictures are always interesting and fluid. The show never falls into a lull, keeping the audience tapping their toes throughout.
The cast is generally impressive. As the star-crossed lovers, Keittra Colombel and Damon J. Bolling are right on the mark. Ms. Colombel gives Ti Moune a sweet-yet-persuasive attitude, and Mr. Bolling dances and sings Daniel wonderfully. Mr. Hemphill, Evelyn Brown-Gray, Erahn Patton-Stinson, and Reginald Bernard Kelly each get a chance to shine with voice and movement as the intrusive gods. Katherine S. Todd and Sean Boone are quite enjoyable as Ti Moune's adopted parents. Fourth grader Ayshia Gray does a nice turn as Little Ti Moune. Even the color-blind casting of Alan Plado as Daniel's father works surprisingly well. While Keisher Glymph does a great job of acting the role of upper crust Andrea, her attempted French accent impedes her singing.
Thom Gilseth's brightly colored set is all right, but is outshone by Michael J. Eddy's expressive lighting. Dave Temby's sound design encountered several problems on the first Friday, but Timothy Slope's costumes are spectacular. Ron Colvard's music direction of the six piece offstage band is well handled.
This is an auspicious start for the Black Theatre Troupe/Herberger Theater alliance. Once on this Island is an enjoyable evening of music and dance that everyone should enjoy.
Production Details:
Once on this Island Book and
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Music by Stephen Flaherty
Black Theatre Troupe
The Herberger Theater Center Stage West, Phoenix (For a map to location, click this
link)
(602) 252-8497
May 31st - June 17th, 2001