The Drama Group celebrates the close of its 91st season with ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, the rousing Calypso-flavored tale of one small girl who finds love in a world of prejudice. Directed by Aaron Reese Boseman; Musical Direction by Elliott Bell and Choreographer Florence Walker-Harris. From Broadway’s Tony Award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime and Seussical), comes the Olivier Award-winning Once on This Island. This highly original and theatrical Caribbean adaptation is based on the novel “My Love, My Love” by Rosa Guy and the popular fairy tale, The Little Mermaid, which garnered eight Tony nominations for its Broadway run, including Best Musical, Book and Score.
Show times for ONCE ON THIS ISLAND are 7:30 pm beginning Friday, August 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12; ADDED Saturday matinee August 12 at 2:00 pm and Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm August 6 and 13.
The Drama Group has an online ticketing service - BookTix Ticketing and Livestreaming. All tickets are available by going to The Drama Group BookTix website www.dg.booktix.com, where you will be directed to set up your account with “The Drama Group-BookTix Box Office.” Or you may always opt to call our Box Office at 708-755-3444.
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Masks will no longer be required for audience members.
The Drama Group still encourages people to wear masks while in the building.
This policy is subject to change..
SYNOPSIS – ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
Once on a golden and verdant Caribbean island, a little girl is rescued from a disastrous storm by four gods—Asaka, Mother of the Earth; Agwé, god of Water; Erzulie, goddess of Love; and Papa Ge, demon of Death. So starts the myth told in this breathtaking story of Black joy and sorrow, the aftermath of colonization and isolation, and the triumph of love against all forces. Told with Caribbean rhythms and instruments, this Tony Award–winning musical is a testament that a beautiful story simply told has the power to inspire and heal all.
Come and be enchanted, be inspired and enjoy live theatre at its best.
Once on this Island Cast
- Agwe [U. Ton Ton] - Kendall Kevin Bell, South Holland, IL
- Erzulie - Paige Brown, Griffith, IN
- Little Girl - Maliyah Brown, Griffith, IN
- Grand Homme - Victoria Dean, Country Club Hills, IL
- Beauxhomme - Matt Harrington, Chicago, IL
- Villager - Olivia Hopson, Chicago Heights, IL
- Ti Moune - Alexandria Simone Irby, Frankfort, IL
- Asaka [U. Mama E] - Marquetta Jackson, Hammond, IN
- Grand Homme - Elaine Landrum, Olympia Fields, IL
- Villager - Jillian-Giselle Mason, Chicago, IL
- Villager - Kedar Miller, Calumet City, IL
- Villager - Jasmine Monet, Olympia Fields, IL
- Villager - Noah Patton, Chicago Heights, IL
- Armand/Grand Homme - Jeremiah Perez, Cresthill, IL
- Andrea/Grand Homme - Jasmine Royal, Midlothian, IL
- Grand Homme - Dacia Slater, Chicago, IL
- Grand Homme - Carolyn Spencer, Olympia Fields, IL
- Villager - Pamela Stallings, South Holland, IL
- Little Girl - Ever Strong, Calumet City, IL
- Daniel - David Taylor, Lynwood, IL
- Papa Ge - Lauren Taylor, Tinley Park, IL
- Beauxhomme - Jayden Marie Turner, Flossmoor, IL
- Daniel’s Father - Ben White, Lynwood, IL
- Villager - Monte Wiggins, Chicago Heights, IL
- Mama Euralie - Liane Williams, Chicago, IL
- Ton Ton Julian - Keenen Wilson, Chicago, IL
- Ti Moune Understudy - Yiidum Wiwa, Chicago, IL
- Little Girl - Kenne Wright, Olympia Fields, IL
- Villager - Prentcessa Rownae Wynn, Highland, IN
PRODUCTION STAFF
- Director - Aaron Reese Boseman, Chicago, IL
- Music Director - Elliot Bell, Chicago, IL
- Choreographer - Florence Walker-Harris, Chicago, IL
- Intimate/Violence Coordinator - Greg Geffrard, Chicago, IL
- Assistance Director - Andy Leahy, Chicago Heights, IL
- Set Designer - Russ Hoganson, Homewood, IL
- Lighting Design - Jennifer Larkin, New Lenox, IL
- Costumes - Terri Devine, Orland Park, IL
- Costumes - Diane Principe, Crete, IL
- Sound Design - Warren Levon, Hammond, IN
- Sound Engineer - Dave Martin, Oak Forest, IL
- Sound Engineer - Ron Edwards, Chicago Heights, IL
- Construction Lead - Chuck Kaffka, Tinley Park IL
- Scenic Painter - Jane Nix, Olympia Fields, IL
- Props and Décor - Andy Leahy, Chicago Heights, IL
- Stage Manager - Charlita Williams, Flossmoor, IL
- Production Manager - Marylee Hoganson, Homewood, IL
- Marketing - Diane Kaffka, Tinley Park, IL
- Publicity / MarketingTina Zagone, Olympia Fields, IL
The Drama Group is pleased to be a member of Southland Arts with 26 local arts organization. See details at www.southlandarts.org.
“A Bridge to a Colorful Joyful World.”
The Drama Group acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts.