Review: ONCE ON THIS ISLAND at Quincy Music Theatre

The Quincy Music Theater's run of Once on This Island began this weekend, and I attended the second show of the run. Creatively, the announcement preceding the show welcomes audience members to "QMT Cruiseline" and encourages "passengers" to enjoy the trip, and any happy parents with unhappy children to take those kids to the poop deck/AKA lobby.

Telling the story of characters who all reside "together" on an island yet worlds apart due to their differing stations in life, Once on This Island transports viewers to the territory of gods Papa Ge (Death), Asaka (Earth), Erzulie (Love), and Agwe (Water) for an hour and a half.

I enjoyed the show, which convinced me that I was possibly island-bound instead of a block away from Highway 90. It is not simple to convey the disparities of life on an island on one small stage, but the cast accomplished their goal.

Among its strengths, the show juxtaposed the "peasant" aspect and the "royalty" aspect well. I understood the love Mama Euralie and Tonton had for each other and for Ti Moune; their on-stage chemistry came together most effectively compared to the occupants of the opposite side of the island.

Strengths of the show:

This show is a joyful story interwoven with the plot twists that would be spoilers if I said more. It makes you ask, as an audience member, if peasants and wealthy people really can ever overcome their different stations in life, especially in a society with forces like Asaka, Erzulie, Agwe and Papa Ge.

Vocally, standouts included: Vonzel Reynolds as Papa Ge, Alexis Johnson as Asaka, and Naomi Lamarche as Andrea. Akeisha Mandela as Erzulie made me believe Ti Moune had the "courage of a dreamer" in The Human Heart.

Little Ti Moune's dancing (Alaina Mohammed) was lyrical and joyful. Ashley Bruce as Ti Moune also delivered magical moments with her dancing.

Production numbers such as And the Gods Heard Her Prayer and Mama Will Provide Mama Will Provide were two highlights of the show.

The actors made the most of props and limited space by portraying "rain" with a single strip of cloth, "driving" with imagination and convincing physical acting, and the "ping" of a mango on the head with nothing more than conviction.

Weaknesses of the show:

This is the type of show that welcomes a hint of unpredictability, but it is hard work to make that unpredictability look spontaneous yet adherent to the show's full intent. There were times, especially at the beginning, when there was a lack of unison, and a dancer who seemed to be relying on other castmates for cues.

Vocally, some performances were more effective and musically stronger than others.

The Quincy Music Theatre is a lovely older facility; there were times in this show when the acoustics presented some challenges, but nothing that was a deal-breaker.

Still to come:

Once on This Island is a one-act show that kicks off Quincy Music Theatre's summer season which will include The Wizard of Oz, The Magic Flute, and Sweeney Todd. It's short but lively, a perfect way to spend an early summer evening at QMT and support our region's artists.

Photo Credits: Quincy Music Theatre

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