Once on this Island

DIRECTORS' NOTES

Mitchell J. Ward & Darrington Clark

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Our favorite line from This Island is actually not a line at all but the final stage direction after the final line in the play. It reads, "The stars come out. The storm ends." This is some much needed relief after a play that doesn't just rain, but pours. 

There is sure to be a blend of audience members at this performance; from those who remember this musical from it's Broadway run from 1990-1991 or had seen one of the rare regional productions, to those who first heard of this play when they signed their child up for this summer's camp. The musical, for many, feels like a discovery; Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's forgotten gem.

What you need to know about Once on this Island:

This is foremost a play about the strength of unconditional love, but it is also a race play. The Peasant roles in the full script are intended to be played by black, Haitian islanders. Their economically advantaged neighbors, the Grands Hommes, are lighter skinned French colonialists who generations earlier invaded their home. However, the economic struggles and conflict of the characters serve as a decent placeholder for the real underlying issues. In effect, we are doing the show in a way that makes sense for us, but may not be the truest This Island that's out there. The greatest injustice to this play would be to hide from the true story; we are simply telling the beautiful story the best we can.

The young people in these two casts have been exceptional in the creation of this story. This simple musical is incredibly and unexpectedly complex. On our island the kids tell the story using virtually only themselves. If they need a car, they become one. If a giant gate needs to appear, they stand together arm in arm. 

We think you will find that this nearly empty stage will soon take you places you never could have imagined, that you are amazed at the abilities of these children to transform the space into a completely different world, and that you will be singing some new songs in your shower for the next few months. 

We would like to thank Scott and Donna for taking a chance on this show. Stage Right's season history is full of blockbuster hit shows - Les Mis, West Side Story, Annie, Grease, the list goes on. Once on this Island is not in that category of shows. In our opinion, it's better; It can be done with the grandest set, most beautiful costumes on the most prolific stage or done in black box with t-shirts and the message can be just as strong. There is no hiding - the show rests on the moving music and powerful story, and that is the heart of what musical theatre is to us. Further, this story is the heart of our program: unconditional love. Hopefully the kids you see on stage today will have had a wonderful time and put on an impressive, beautiful show. What we hope for more, though, is that they now know a lesson that many adults still need to understand: love is the strongest force on earth. It can cross the earth, and withstand the storm, it can conquer even death. 

-MW & DC