Have you missed theater as much as I have? Well you don’t have to miss it any longer as Moonlight Stage Productions begins their 40th season with Once on This Island. It’s the perfect story for today’s climate, tales of family and community and how that connection sustains us through time. A colorful, joyful, musical experience that will leave you in awe. “Once on This Island” is a great way to get back into the live theater experience.
This new season at Moonlight Theatre promises to delight audiences in Southern California as artistic director Steve Glaudini putst together a season of shows that showcase community.
“For those of you who attend all four productions this summer, you will notice that the power of community and storytelling is a common thread running through the season.”
Moonlight Theatre is believed to be the first professional theatre to begin productions in Southern California since the state reopened.
In the past year we’ve witnessed so much, not only COVID-19 but also the massive social justice movement that captured the hearts, and minds, of everyday citizens last summer with BLM marches and on Broadway a call for more equality for all BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color). Moonlight has listened to the artistic community and with this production the cast, director, and conductor are all representatives of the BIPOC community.
“Once on this Island” is a grand return to theater. This Tony award winning musical is a full of dance, exuberant extravaganza with an amazing cast.
Since COVID theatre productions on Broadway, touring productions and regional productions were abruptly halted. If you have to find a bright side to all of that, it opened up the talent pool that Moonlight had to draw from to something even greater than before.
Many of the actors have careers outside Southern California and therefore Moonlight audiences have the chance to see some amazing new talent before they go back to their tours and Broadway shows.
Edred Utomi (Papa Ge) will soon return to his work on the “Hamilton National Tour” where he will reprise the title role of Alexander Hamilton, Nathan Andrew Riley (Agwe) is a veteran of Disney’s “Lion King” tour, and Director Choreographer Paul David Bryant who has been in the entertainment industry for over 40 years working on Broadway, The West End and various tours.
Based on the 1985 novel My Love, My Love; or, The Peasant Girl by Rosa Guy, “Once on This Island” is story of societal clashes when the historic division between the islanders and members of the “peasant” class are exploited by the four gods that rule their island.
Brooke Henderson, as Ti Moune shines in the role. There’s a deep level of honesty ing the way she plays her character and the vulnerability she brings to the role. “Waiting for Life” showcases her impressive vocals and the emotion is felt by those in the audience.
One of the big standouts in “Once on this Island” are the four gods. Edred Utomi (Papa Ge) has a powerhouse voice that embodies the god of death. Utomi is one of my favorite parts of this show. Anise Ritchie (Erzullie) is another one of the gods that I guarantee you will fall in love with as the show progresses. “The Human Heart” is one of my top favorite songs and Ritchie along with the rest of the company deliver superb performances.
One of the other characters, albeit non-living, in this production are the projections used on the set. The projections by Blake McCarty add an amazing story telling feature such as a huge storm and even helps show the passing of time. As you probably know, I’m not the biggest fan of projections. However, when it’s used properly I think it takes a show to a whole other level.
There were other parts of the production that stand-out like Daniel’s car and headlights that are part of his costume. When you are talking about the costumes, well lets just say they are colorful, tropical, and happy. They definitely help to immerse you into this tropical island setting and when combined with the music under the baton of Lydon Pugeda deliver the energy to fill the whole hillside of the theater in Vista, CA.
Once on This Island delivers a powerful story on the power of love that can bring people together.
Once on This Island Cast
Kevin Burroughs (Armand), Leo Ebanks (Tonton Julian), Brooke Henderson (Ti Moune), Patricia Jewel (Mama Euralie), Jodi Marks (Asaka), Jocline Mixson (Andrea), Nathan Andrew Riley ( Agwe), Anise Ritchie (Ezrulie), Ala Tiatia-Garaud (Daniel), Edred Utomi (Papa Ge), Maya Washington (title Ti Moune.)
Ticket Information
Single tickets for Moonlight Stage production of West Side Story range from $17 – $57. There are discounts for Seniors and Students and military. For tickets contact The Moonlight Amphitheatre at 760-724-2110 or visit the Moonlight Stage Productions Ticket Website.
Schedule
June 16 – July 3, 2021
Gates open at 6:30 p.m.
Curtain at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $17 – $59
Moonlight Amphitheater Location
The Moonlight Amphitheatre is located at 1200 Vale Terrace Dr, Vista, CA 92084
Take the Civic Center Drive and exit off Highway 78, go north. Turn right on E Vista Way. Turn right on Vale Terrace. Continue on Vale Terrace about 1/2 mile and turn left into Brengle Terrace Park.
Parking at Moonlight Amphitheatre
There is free parking available at Brengle Terrace Park. Shuttle service is available for those who end up parking in the upper grass lot. The shuttle will begin running 2.5 hours before the show starts as well as after the show.
For more information and tickets call The Moonlight Amphitheatre at 760-724-2110 or visit The Moonlight Stage Production website.
Moonlight Stage Production Season 2021
Beauty and the Beast: July 21 – August 7
A Chorus Line: August 1 – September 4
On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio & Gloria Estefan: Sep 15 – October 2
