ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Brings Summer To Aurora Theater 4/30-5/31

Aurora Theatre invites you to start your summer vacation early with the calypso sounds of Once On This Island, running April 30 - May 31. It is the story of a beautiful peasant girl, Ti Moune, who falls in love with Daniel, a boy from the wealthy side of the island.

When an automobile accident brings him to the brink of death, Ti Moune bargains with the gods, offering her life for his in this romantic tale of two different worlds. Once On This Island was the surprise Broadway sensation of 1990, garnering 8 Tony Award nominations, then going on to win the Oliver Award for Best Musical in London in 1994. Broadway hit makers, Ahrens and Flaherty (Ragtime, Seussical, and Lucky Stiff) almost accidentally created their most celebrated work.

After several frustrating months searching for their next project, Lynn Ahrens stumbled upon the novel My Love, My Love, by Rosa Guy, in a used bookstore. The story and the setting captivated the duo, and Once On This Island was born.

The Aurora Theatre production features an amazingly accomplished cast including Aurora Theatre favorites: Spencer G. Stephens (Damn Yankees), Eugene H. Russell IV (Big River) and recording artist Eric Moore (5 Guys Named Moe). Notable newcomers are Jeanette Illidge (Aladdin - ALLIANCE THEATRE), Amber Iman (Goodnight Moon - ALLIANCE THEATRE), and Gwinnett County Public Schools Assistant Principal Clayborn Knight. Once On This Island also features the professional debut of 7 year-old Michaela Bost, a Rockbridge Elementary student. In a time when collaboration has become a real arts buzzword, the artistic partnership between Ballethnic Dance Company and Aurora Theatre has been over a year in the planning as Ballethnic Founder and Co-Artistic Director Waverly T. Lucas II choreographs this talented group. Waverly is a former member of Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Atlanta Ballet, and Ballethnic's Urban Nutcracker is an Atlanta Holiday Tradition.

Ann-Carol Pence, Aurora Theatre Associate Producer and Once On This Island music director, "This is my favorite American musical and I am so excited to share it with my favorite people in the world, the Aurora Theatre patrons." She continues, "I was lucky enough to see this show on Broadway several times, and I kept coming back because it was a compelling story with such captivating music. People are just going to love, love, love it." And audience members will leave the theatre seeking a drink with an umbrella in it.

Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Music by Stephen Flaherty
Based on the novel by Rosa Guy "My Love, My Love"
April 30 - May 31
Performances are Thursday - Saturday at 8:00PM and Saturday & Sunday at 2:30PM
Tickets $16 - $30
Preview Performance, Tuesday April 28 at 8:00PM
Tickets $10 with Library Card and only $5 with Gwinnett County Student ID
Wednesdays Discount Matinee, May 20 at 10:00 AM
Tickets $14
678.226.6222
www.auroratheatre.com

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