Way back when I was in Middle School the attached high school to my school did a production of Once on This Island. Watching this show and Brigadoon were some of the first times community theatre inspired me and I realized great theatre didn’t have to come from only Broadway-level shows. It’s interesting because even though I had this foundational experience with this show I have never had a chance to see it again…until this week. The good folks over at The Ruth are putting on Once on this Island and it wowed me all over again.

There are so many outstanding aspects of this production at The Ruth I almost don’t know where to start in this review. It is directed by Lisa Hall and the scenic design by Carter Thompson is phenomenal. They not only have a sand stage but there is a pool with water and a 2 story plantation-style house that looks like it came right out of Havana, Cuba. The costumes by Candice Nielsen are also stunning with some of them full of bright colors and sequins and others in a striking white. My favorite is the clothes for Papa Ge with skulls to symbolize the God of Death.

I also love choreographer Izzy Arrieta and his work with this cast. It’s a small space and with sand and water the choreography was probably challenging to plan but I felt surrounded by music and dance. I really admire how The Ruth has made dance a priority in its productions and it’s an aspect I have come to look forward to most when seeing one of their shows (and Arrieta is a big reason for that.)

The cast is also incredible for this production. I saw the TThS cast but I’ve heard the other cast is also really good. Ti Moune is played by Sibley Snowden and she has a joyful innocence needed for this exuberant role. She also has a beautiful singing voice and harmonizes well with all of her co-stars. Corey Stefon Johnson is swoony and winning as Daniel and little Heidi Malia Warren steals any scene she is in as Little Girl. There honestly isn’t a weak member of the cast.

I also love the immersive lighting design by Michael Gray and the sound design by Tim Riggs. When there is a storm it feels like a storm is surrounding us and I could be wrong but I feel like there was some aroma work brought in and I could smell coconut and vanilla (maybe I was just so immersed it effected my senses!) Some of my favorite numbers of the night are the opening number “We Dance,” the love song “The Human Heart” and the finale sequence “Why We Tell the Story.” While the story can be quite sad I don’t think there is any reason a family couldn’t come and see this musical and talk about Ti Moune and Daniel and the bigotry that keeps them apart (as well as discuss the many creative aspects of the show.)

Fortunately we have a while to see Once on This Island at The Ruth. I definitely want to see the other cast as soon as possible. Trust me on this one. You’ll be dazzled just like I was. It is playing through July 3rd and tickets can be purchased here.

Once on this Island has music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics and book by Lynn Ahrens (I saw another production of theirs last week with Lucky Stiff. It is based on the novel My Love, My Love; or the Peasant Girl which is a retelling of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Andersen. It first premiered on Broadway in 1990 with an award winning revival in 2017.

If you enjoy my writing and would like me to review your production I’d love to. I also have a patreon which is a great way to support my shorter logs for shows I don’t get to review. I have some really fun perks. Please take a look here.