once on this island

Once On This Island by Lynn Ahrens and Steven Flaherty

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND  was Ahrens' and Flaherty's first real taste of success (they went on to write the hit RAGTIME: The Musical, SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL, the film ANASTASIA, and the stage version of the film MY FAVORITE YEAR). Based on the novel My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy,  the show is a twist on the traditional "Little Mermaid" tale, and tells the story of Ti Moune, a poor peasant girl who falls in love with Daniel, an upper class boy whose life she saves after a car crash. Central to the story are four gods that the peasants believe rule their lives. The gods of Love , (Erzulie) Earth (Asaka), Water (Agwe) , and Death (Papa Ge) cause the lives of the young lovers to intersect, and send Ti Moune on the fateful journey that tests the strength of her love.

Set in the French Antilles, Once On This Island boasts a score that is immediately and continually reflective of this locale. There are rousing, upbeat numbers like "Mama Will Provide," and "Some Say," as well as poignant ballads like "The Human Heart"and "Forever Yours". While some of the numbers stand on their own, there can be no mistaking a song from "Once On This Island" with a song from any other show, because Ahrens and Flaherty never betray the story's Caribbbean roots.

Once On This Island originated at Playwrights Horizons on April 6, 1990. It opened at the Booth Theater on Broadway on October 18, 1990 and played for 469 performances. The show also received eight Tony Award Nominations, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. On May 12, 2002, the original Broadway cast reunited for a special two concert benefit performance benefitting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund.