Photo Flash: Marriott Theatre Presents ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

Marriott Theatre continues their smash hit 35th Anniversary Season with the exhilarating Broadway musical Once on this Island. The production previews June 30, opening July 7 and runs through August 29 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL. The production will be Directed and Choreographed by Jeff Award winner David H. Bell, and will star Chasten Harmon as Ti Moune. Harmon most recently appeared on Broadway in the Tony Award winning revival of HAIR.

Once on this Island is a musical love story set in the beautiful Caribbean Islands. Based on the novel My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy and the classic fairy tale The Little Mermaid, Once on this Island tells the story of Ti Moune, a poor peasant girl who falls in love with an upper-class gentleman named Daniel. The island gods of Love, Earth, Water, and Death try to manipulate the young lovers on a fateful journey that tests the strength of their love. The production features a contemporary, calypso-flavored score by the Tony Award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime). An imaginative story for all ages, Once on This Island received eight Tony Award Nominations in 1991, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.

Joining Chasten Harmon as Ti Moune, Once on This Island stars Michael James Leslie as Tonton, Joslyn Jones as Mama Euralie, Brandon Koller as Daniel, Jesse Means as Papa Ge, Melody Betts as Asaka, Byron Glen Willis as Agwe, Melinda Wakefield Alberty as Erzulie, Max Kumangai as Armand, Caitlainne Rose Gurreri as Andrea, with ensemble members Alysha Deslorieux, Melvin Brandon Logan, Donica Lynn and Nya as Little Ti Moune.

Lead Artistic Director Aaron Thielen heads the artistic team for Once on This Island, with Musical Direction by Dr. Ryan Nelson, Properties Design by Greg Isaac, Sound Design by Robert E. Gilmartin, Costume Design by Nancy Missimi, Set Design by Thomas M. Ryan, and Lighting Design by Diane Williams. Patti Garwood conducts the Marriott Theatre orchestra. The dialect coach for the production is Jill Walmsley.

The performance schedule for all shows is Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Ticket prices range from $35 to $48, plus tax and handling fees. Seniors and Students receive $5.00 off a full price theatre ticket on Wednesday 1:p.m, Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and Sundays at 1p.m. and 5p.m. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings a limited number of Dinner and Theatre tickets are available for only $55.00 per person. Dinner is at our King's Wharf Restaurant or the Fairfield Inn (based on dining availability). Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets with a major credit card, call the Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200 or www.Ticketmaster.com. Visit www.MarriottTheatre.com for more information.

Melody Bettsn and Nya

Alysha Deslorieux and Byron Glenn Willis

Joslyn Jones and Caitlainne Rose Gurreri

Melinda Wakefield Alberty and Max Kumangai

Melvin BranDon Logan, with Actress Alysha Deslorieux, and Actor Max Kumangai

Max Kumangai and Melvin BranDon Logan

Alysha Deslorieux and Caitlainne Rose Gurreri

Caitlainne Rose Gurreri and Jesse Means

Brandon Koller and Chasten Harmon

Nya

Alysha Deslorieux and Chasten Harmon

Ryan Nelson with actor Michael James Leslie

David Bell and Aaron Thielen