3-D Theatricals' ONCE ON THIS ISLAND to Sail to Redondo Beach and Cerritos PAC

From the creators of Broadway's RAGTIME and SEUSSICAL, 3-D Theatricals will present the eight-time Tony nominated ONCE ON THIS ISLAND.

As is the hallmark of 3-D Theatricals, their own spin on Broadway shows will be in full-play when this glorious, Caribbean-infused family musical of enormous heart and magical wisdom opens at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center February 10 - 19; and the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts February 24 - March 5, 2107. Once on This Island took its first bow on Broadway in 1990 and was the recipient of 8 Tony Award nominations.

3-D Theatricals Executive Artistic Director T.J. Dawson says "Ahrens and Flaherty are one of America's most talented musical theater teams; and, what they did with this simplest of stories, makes ONCE ON THIS ISLAND not only a musical for the every member of the family, but 90 must-see-minutes of sheer entertainment from start to finish!."

Full of capricious gods, island magic, and joyous dance numbers, the production is directed by Rufus Bonds, Jr., with musical direction by Corey Hirsch and choreography by Yusuf Nasir. Costumes are by explosive young fashion designer and internet sensation Nephi Garcia.

In almost non-stop song and dance, Once on This Island follows the story's young heroine, Ti Moune, on her quest to prove that love is more powerful than the forces of prejudice, hatred and death. A one-act musical by the award-winning team of Lynn Ahrens (Book and Lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty Once on This Island is based on the 1985 novel My Love, My Love; or, The Peasant Girl by Rosa Guy, and is set in the French Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean Sea. With elements of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid; and Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, a peasant girl on a tropical island uses the power of love to bring together people of different social classes.

For more information, visit www.3dtshows.org.

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IF YOU GO:

REDONDO BEACH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER: 1935 E. Manhattan Blvd., Redondo Beach, CA 90278

Parking: Complimentary parking located directly in front of the theatre.
3-D Theatricals Remote Box Office: 714 589-2770, Ext. 1. Hours: Monday - Friday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. 12:00 - 4:00 pm Saturday

Box Office at Theatre Opens: Two hours prior to performances.

Ticket Prices: Tickets are on sale now for $25.00 - $100.00. Ticket Handling Fee: $3 per ticket. Online Ticketing: www.3dtshows.org - Group and Student discounts are available. $20 "Rush" tickets are available one hour prior to "select performances".

Performance Dates and Times:
Friday, February 10 at 8:00 pm (Preview)
Saturday, February 11 at 8:00 pm (Official Opening) Sunday, February 12 at 2:00 pm
Friday, February 17 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 18 at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm Sunday, February 19 at 2:00 p

CERRITOS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS: 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, CA 90703 Parking: Complimentary parking adjacent to the theatre.

Theatre Box Office: 562-916-8500. Hours: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Tuesday - Friday; 12:00 - 4:00 pm Saturday.

Box Office at Theatre Opens: Two hours prior to weekday and Saturday performances; and one hour prior to Sunday performances.

Ticket Prices: Tickets are on sale now for $40.00 - $85.00. Online Ticketing: www.Cerritoscenter.com OR www.3dtshows.org - Group and Student discounts are available. A processing fee per ticket will be added to all orders that are not presented as part of the CCPA's season and will be reflected, if charged, prior to checkout. All ticket sales are final and non-refundable.

Performance Dates and Times:

Friday, February 24 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, February 25 at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm Sunday, February 26 at 2:00 pm
Thursday, March 2 at 7:30 pm
Friday, March 3 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 4 at 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm Sunday, March 5 at 2:00 pm

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ABOUT THE CAST:

LEAH STEWART* (Ti Moune) is a California resident, but a native of St. Louis, Missouri. She performed in Beirut's top music venue, Al Mandoloun. She currently tours the seas as a Serenade with one of "America's Got Talent" finalists, Marcus Terrell and The Serenades. She was in the IMDB credited 2015 film, COOK & BANKS. She was "Pippi" in the THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK the musical. She was in the Missouri History Museum's production of RIVERS OF WOMEN with award winning and bestselling author, Lyah Beth LeFlore. Performed in Stage One Family Theater's production of JACKIE AND ME. Toured four years with Metro Theatre Company of St. Louis, Missouri. Passionate about acting, Leah received a BA in Theater Dance with Chemistry minor from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Performed in award-winning Theater Productions such as DOUBT, THE PARABLE with Dramatic License Productions, and SARAFINA with The Saint Louis Black Rep. (*Denotes Members of Actors Equity Association)

Cooper Howell* (Daniel) Makes his 3DT debut in one of his favorite shows - A show which ironically would have been his first musical had he not been kicked out by his high school drama teacher. In other words, Cooper would like to dedicate his performance to Mr. Jim Smith of Murray, Utah. Recently Cooper was in the opening cast of FROZEN - Live at the Hyperion at the Hyperion Theater at Disney's California Adventure as Prince Hans of the Southern Isles where he can still be seen Monday through Thursdays. Other Main LA Regional Credits include: Bernardo in WEST SIDE STORY with Musical Theater West, and Benjamin Coffin III in RENT for McCoy Rigby Entertainment. (*Denotes Members of Actors Equity Association)

ERIKA BOWMAN (Mama Euralie) is a seasoned theatre actress who has performed her way cross country. Erika started her career in New York, where she performed in productions such as JOE TURNERS COME AND GONE, IN THE BLOOD, and MOON OF THE CARIBBIES. After 9/11, she moved to San Francisco, where the world of musical theatre was opened up to her. While in the Bay Area, she performed in one of the longest running shows in the country, BEACH BLANKET BABYLON, and other productions like AIDA, JESUS CHRIST SUPER STAR, RAGTIME and SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL. Since being here in LA she has been in such wildly acclaimed productions such as the Ovation Award winner THE WOMEN OF BREWSTER PLACE, SHOW BOAT, and the LA premier of the musical VIOLET.

KEITH JEFFERSON* (Tonton Julian) Making his 3-D Theatricals debut and having played Agwe once before, Keith resides in LA with a successful career in Film, TV, and Theatre. The La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Rep, Thousand Oaks Civic Center, Southwest Shakespeare to name a few companies. Regional Theatre: OTHELLO, THE PIANO LESSON, SUPERIOR DONUTS, MEMPHIS, BIG RIVER, NINE among others. Film/TV: The Jamie Foxx Show as CJ/Stoney Jackson, Buffalo Soldiers as Private Andrew Boyer, The Last Free Man as Jeremiah Jessup, the Oscar winning film Django Unchained as Pudgy Ralph and The Hateful Eight as Charly both directed/written by multiple Oscar winner Quentin Tarantino. Having just completed All-Star Weekend starring Jamie Foxx and Jeremy Pivens directed by Jamie Foxx, Keith is being considered for Mafala in The Book of Mormon for Broadway, and both Tours. (*Denotes Members of Actors Equity Association)

Jay Donnell* (Agwe) 3DT: SIDE SHOW (Jake). MTW: MEMPHIS (Bobby), SOUTH PACIFIC (Henry), MAN OF LA MANCHA. National Tours: MISS SAIGON (John u/s). Select Regional: MEMPHIS (Bobby, Musical Theatre West),RAGTIME(Coalhouse, San Diego Musical Theatre), KISSME, KATE(Hortensio/Fred u/s, Pasadena Playhouse), FROZEN LIVE!(Grand Pabbie/Bishop, Disney California Adventure), 25TH ANNUAL..SPELLING BEE (Mitch Mahoney, PCPA, Phoenix Theatre), LES MISERABLES, FLOYD COLLINS (La Mirada Theatre).

National Commercials: Dodge, Bud Light, Allstate Insurance. TV/Film: Joshua Tree 1951 (Iconoclastic Features), Lost Tapes: Poltergeist (Discovery). (*Denotes Members of Actors Equity Association)

Dominique Kent (Asaka) Dominique is thrilled to be a part of her first show here at 3DT. She is a recent graduate of AMDA College and Conservatory with a BFA in Musical theatre. Since graduating, she has had the opportunity to embark on her journey as a performer. Her recent credits include AVENUE Q, LITTLE SHOP OF HORROS, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, HOW TO SUCCEED, DREAMGIRLS, LES MISERABLE, as well as the original works of SWAN LAKE THE MUSICAL.

Daebreon Poiema (Erzulie) Daebreon Poiema is thrilled to be performing for a third time with 3-D Theatricals. She gives all honor, glory and praise to God for continuing to bless her with opportunities to do what she loves, use her voice to express truth. Her past credits include Aida in AIDA (Performance Riverside), Sarah in RAGTIME (3DT), Kala in TARZAN (3DT), Coretta Scott King in MARTIN: DUTY CALLS (Storyteller Productions), and Deloris Van Cartier in SISTER ACT (Moonlight) (Candlelight).

Edred Utomi (Papa Ge) is thrilled to be returning to 3-D Theatricals after playing the Pharoah in JOSEPH...DREAMCOAT. Recent Credits: CHESS (Barn Stage) PETER PAN, SISTER ACT, SHREK (Moonlight), Jim in BIG RIVER (Performance Riverside), RUDOLPH...REINDEER NAT'L TOUR (McCoy Rigby), MY MAÑANA COMES (SD Rep), JOSEPH (Lamb's Players Theatre), LUCE, PEERLESS (Old Globe) ,WEATHERMAN (La Jolla Playhouse). BA Theatre, USD.

Jenna Gillespie* (Andrea) is overjoyed to be a part of the timeless musical ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Jenna has a B.A. in drama from UC Irvine. Favorite credits include: Ovation Nominated: RECORDED IN HOLLYWOOD (Ruth Dolphin at Kirk Douglas Theater), DISNEY'S FIVE and DIME (Dime at Disney's California Adventure), JINGLE & JIVE XMAS REVUE (Co-Producer at Prospect Theater), SHREK THE MUSICAL (Shoemaker's Elf at 3DT), CITY BEAT ACAPELLA GROUP (Alto and Sop. Vocal Swing at Universal Studios), RAGTIME (Harlem Ensemble at 3DT), and RUDOLPH THE MUSICAL: INTERNATIONAL TOUR (Female Swing at McCoy-Rigby Ent.) (*Denotes Members of Actors Equity Association)

Kayla Joy Smith (Little Ti Moune), "ARMAND CHARACTER INSERT", STORYTELLERS: Nic Hodges, Christopher C. Fishburne , Gabrielle Jackson, Mia L. Jones, Jade Payton, Inaya Reddick, ,Eran Scoggins, Kennedy Nibbe, and Mackenzie Nibbe.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM:

Rufus Bonds JR, (Director) In addition to his work as an actor and writer, Mr. Bonds continues to forge his directorial career and is particularly smitten with returning to "Once on This Island", the very musical that marked his Broadway debut as a performer. Other directing projects include TARZAN, THE WIZ, Into the WOODS, THE WIZARD OF OZ, ENOUGH, and THE SISTERS OF ROSEWALL HIGH. As an actor Mr. Bonds starred in the title role of Porgy in PORGY AND BESS at the Regent's Park Open Air Theater. Carnegie Hall welcomed him as the Baritone-Soloist for Duke Ellington's SACRED MUSIC. Broadway: RENT, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND and PARADE (for which he received a Drama Desk Nomination as Best Supporting Actor in a Musical). He also received a Los Angeles Ovation Award for 3DT's highly Ovation awarded production of PARADE. National tours include THE COLOR PURPLE as Mister, LION KING as Mufasa, MISS SAIGON as John and most recently Don Quixote in MAN OF LA MANCHA at the 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle. As a writer Mr. Bonds was a Eugene O'Neill Semi-finalist

for his play THE SISTERS OF ROSEWALL HIGH. President Obama honored Mr. Bonds with the Lifetime Achievement award for his body of work in the industry and his commitment to service.

Corey Hirsch (Musical Director) is honored to be working with the venerable Rufus Bond Jr. on this touching and inspiring production of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND and serving the tremendous vision of 3-D Theatricals. A graduate of the Juilliard School (B.M. Composition) and the University of Southern California (Adv. Cert. Scoring for Film and TV), Corey is a commissioned composer/arranger, Music Director and Vocal Coach for Disney, Adjunct Professor of Voice for Musical Theatre at CSUF and a Musical Director for several production companies in Southern California. Corey's recent theatre credits include A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE (LADCC, Best Musical Director, LA Weekly Award Nomination), MARRY ME A LITTLE, THE FANTASTICKS, CLOSER THAN EVER with GPTC and GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES and THE PAJAMA GAME with MTG. Corey also musical directed YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN and THE MUSIC MAN at MTW and THE ADDAMS FAMILY, THE FULL MONTY, and JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT for 3-D Theatricals.

YUSUF NASIR (Choreographer) Yusuf's love for dance is infectious and can be felt far and wide. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Yusuf began dancing at age seven at Studio J in Berkeley, California, under the direction of Kris Bell. He is a graduate of the San Francisco School of the Arts, and attendee of the Ailey School in New York. A highly versatile dancer, choreographer, and instructor, his credits span through Film, Television, and Stage. Dance credits include: Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Miley Cyrus, Neil Patrick Harris, Ceelo- Green, Wayne Brady, Donny and Marie Osmond Live in Las Vegas, Ray Charles Live - B'way Tryout, Dancing with the Stars, MTV Video Music Awards, Spike TV Video Game Awards, Festival di San Remo, Mark Feuerstein and many more! In addition, he has appeared in not one but five national commercials. Now moving into directing and choreography, he recently participated and made TOP 5 contestant in the second season of the television choreography competition show "Every Single Step" Produced by Nigel Lythgoe and Brian Friedman. From that show, he was selected to be contributing choreographer for Jackie Chung World Tour, Directed by Emmy-award winning choreographers Tabitha and Napoleon (Nappytabs). Currently, he is an Adjunct Professor of Dance at the American Music and Dramatic Arts College and Conservatory Los Angeles and the newest edition to the Joffrey West Ballet School. Past studios: Edge Performing Arts Center, Millennium Dance Complex, Chapkis Dance.

NEPHI GARCIA (Costume Designer) is one of fashion's newest rising stars by way of his overwhelming internet and social media presence for his uber successful designs of "cosplays" (a term the "designer dad" gave to his highly sought after, extravagant family costume/play designs based on Disney and other fairytale characters. Born and raised in a small town in the Philippines, Mr. Garcia was taught to sew and design by his mother and grandmother, and is a 4th generation designer in his family. He spent long hours at the foot of his grandmother's sewing machine, fascinated, watching her create beautiful articles of clothing. He has been designing and sewing since he was 12 years old and believes that adding passion to everything you do will create a masterpiece. His inspirations are Alexander McQueen, colors, textures, people around him, and the concept of looking for love, or love lost. His grandmother, who graduated from fashion design school in the 40's, was stylish, classy and feminine, which, with romance, he often emulates in his designs.

T.J. Dawson Executive Producer/Artistic Director. Gretchen Dawson: Director of Marketing and Co- Founder. Daniel Dawson and Jeanette Dawson: Co-Founders. Gigi Fusco Meese: Director of Community Relations. Ryan Ruge: Assistant Director. Celina Whitfield: Associate Choreographer.

Musical Contractor: Los Angeles Musicians Collective. Production Manager: Terry Hanrahan*. Company Manager and Assistant Stage Manager: David Jordan Nestor. Set Design: Stephen Gifford. Technical Director: Jene Roach. Lighting Design: Jean-Yves Tessier. Sound Design: Julie Ferrin. Wig Design: Peter Herman. Properties Designer: Gretchen Morales. Projection Design: Andrew Nagey. Box Office Manager: Jennifer Nelson. Casting Coordinator: Amber Snead. Publicity and Public Relations: Michael Sterling. (*Denotes Member of Actors Equity Association)

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