Test your knowledge of the beloved musical Once on This Island with these fascinating trivia facts. How well do you know the Caribbean-inspired adaptation of The Little Mermaid that has captured audiences worldwide? From its Broadway debut in 1990 to its Tony Award-winning 2017 revival, this vibrant show has left a cultural mark. Explore key details about the characters, songs, and production history that have shaped this unforgettable musical.
Adaptations
- A Disney film adaptation of "Once on This Island" is currently in development for Disney+, set to bring the story and its enchanting elements to a broader audience through streaming.
International Productions
- "Once on This Island" won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical for its 1994 London production, recognizing its impact and popularity in international theatre.
Musical Composition
- The musical has been celebrated for its vibrant and culturally rich storytelling, blending elements of African, Caribbean, and French influences evident in its music, dance, and narrative style.
- Asaka, the Mother of the Earth in the play, reassures Ti Moune by singing 'Mama Will Provide', promising her that the earth will support her on her journey.
Production Facts
- "Once on This Island" is a musical adaptation of the 1985 novel 'My Love, My Love; or, The Peasant Girl' by Rosa Guy, which is a Caribbean retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Little Mermaid'.
- The original Broadway production of "Once on This Island" opened in 1990 and ran until 1991, featuring notable performances from LaChanze as Ti Moune and Jerry Dixon as Daniel.
- The 2017 Broadway revival of "Once on This Island" won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.
- The set for the 2017 Broadway revival was crafted to resemble a wrecked beach community, complete with real sand on stage and live animals, enhancing the immersive experience.
- The musical's story is woven around four gods who are central to the tales and culture of the Jewel of the Antilles, including Asaka (Mother of the Earth), Agwé (god of Water), Erzulie (goddess of Love), and Papa Ge (demon of Death).
- Ti Moune's quest for love leads to her being transformed into a tree, symbolizing eternal life and love, breaking social barriers at the hotel gates.
- Norm Lewis, known for his broad range of roles, stepped into the role of Agwe during the 2017 Broadway revival of 'Once on This Island'.
- The character Daniel Beauxhomme represents the upper class and his last name 'Beauxhomme' means 'beautiful man' in French.
- The main antagonist, Papa Ge, is depicted as the sly demon of death, manifesting fear among the island's inhabitants.
- 'Once on This Island' includes various roles like the Gatekeeper, who symbolizes the barrier between different social statuses, creating a poignant reflection on class division.
- In the production history, 'Once on This Island' saw significant casting changes, such as Tamyra Gray and Merle Dandridge both playing the role of Papa Ge in the 2017 revival.
- A unique feature of 'Once on This Island' is that it is often cast along racial lines to highlight the themes of class and racial differences, though script modifications allow for multi-ethnic productions.
