On Monday, I announced our 2011 spring musical will be Once on this Island. I realize that many of you many not be familiar with the show – there’s even been a little misinformation floating around – so let me explain the show in more depth. Once on this Island opened on Broadway in October 1990 and ran for nearly 500 performances. The run was nominated for eight Tony awards, including Best Musical. Frank Rich, a noted theatre critc for the New York Times, wrote “In her lyrics and very spare dialogue, Ms. Ahrens doesn’t make the mistake of writing cutesy mock-dialect.  Her words are simple, direct, and poignant,” and that the show, “has the integrity of genuine fairy tales in that it doesn’t lead to a saccharine ending, but to a catharsis, transcendent acceptance of the dust-to-dust continuity of life and death.” The show was revived for a brief performance in 2002 and topped Chris Caggio’s list of Most Underrated Musicals a few months ago.

Ultimately, I didn’t decide on Once on this Island for its many theatrical merits, but rather because I believe this show can express the talents and spirit of our students at Greenville. It’s no surprise to any of you that this year’s senior class has been strongly involved in our musicals since elementary school. They are hard-working and talented, and have inspired the underclassmen to exceed expectations. This show provides them (and the rest of the cast) the opportunity to mature as actors and to improvise as musicians, all while displaying an honest message of love and the destruction of prejudice. Once on this Island is brimming with life, energy, and a colorful palette of characters. Everyone – leads and supporting cast – will have the flexibility to create and develop their own character from the first rehearsal until we close on May 1st. Mrs. Raskopf and I are already discussing how we can incorporate cutting edge design and production techniques while collaborating with you, the students.
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