Love conquers all, especially in the theatrical one-act musical “Once on this Island Jr.,” based on the 1985 novel “My Love, My Love.”
Fusing elements of “Romeo and Juliet” with “The Little Mermaid,” the story follows the tale of a young peasant girl on a tropical island who finds love in a world of prejudice. The original Broadway production opened in 1990 and won the Olivier Award for Best Musical in 1995.
The Aloha Performing Arts Company presents the junior version of the musical opening tonight, June 23, and running two weekends through Sunday, July 2, at Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu.
“The adult version was produced in the early ‘90s and it was a Broadway hit,” said director Tiffany Kutsunai. “A peasant girl falls in love with a rich boy who is going to inherit a hotel. That’s what life is like on this Caribbean island — the rich people own hotels and the poor people work in them to keep the visitors fed and what not. The cast is made up of local actors ages 5 to 18, and they’re doing an awesome job.”
The story is lauded for its poignancy and Caribbean-inspired musical score. Filled with song and dance, the inspirational production tells the story of Ti Moune, a poor island girl who rescues and then falls in love with a wealthy boy named Daniel. The negative forces of bigotry and prejudice within her community test her love, however, the power of her love erodes the barriers of social class so prevalent on the island.
“This is a great show for the whole family because it has a cast made up entirely of young kids,” said Kutsunai. “The whole basis of the play is that love can conquer all — even death. It’s also about staying true to yourself.”
The production features minimal, yet colorful costumes and sets. Dance and creative movement are incorporated into the show and require the 28 young actors to portray wild animals, trees and even a rainstorm.
“This story really addresses a lot of things that are present in today’s society,” said Kutsunai. “For example, despite different social economic classes, all that matters is love. We want the kids to understand they can be friends with whomever they wish. They’re also learning how to sing and act and dance at the same time.”
The cast of “Once on this Island Jr.” includes Kira Kane, Lawrence Barrett, Leilani Penaloza, Justyn Toyama, Tabitha Robbins, Mia Nguyen, Violet Wisniewski, Maximus Wisniewski, Rachel Beth, Alexa Somonson, Emma-Lee Jones, Rosalisha Barrett, Seth Kirbow, Mahina Farmer, Cameron Cornforth, Nala Huihui, Jared Barrett, Lanz Vitales, Noelani Loughery-Kawailoa, Stephanie Jimenez Castaneda, Taira Aoki, Kayla Robertson, Ruby Mandini, Tyra Iaela, Angelina Jones, Anela Jones, Eden Silva and Ella Brough.
Wendy Buzby is vocal director, and Binti Bailey is choreographer. Designers include Carol Conner and Mike Durand, costumes; Gerald Lucena, set and props; Miss Genevieve, hair and makeup; Justin Toyama and Nicole Gour, lighting; and Miguel Montez, sound. Operators are Alyssa Greenwell, lighting, and Karl Martin, sound. Stage manager is Yasir Bey, house manager is Jeannie Kutsunai, concessions manager is Normetta Muir, and box office managers are Kerry Matsumoto and Sharyn Toyama.
This bittersweet tale of love, loss, and inner strength plays for two weekends with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. Admission to “Once on this Island Jr.” is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and young adults between 18 and 25, and $5 for children 17 and younger.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.apachawaii.org, by calling 322-9924 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and at the Aloha Theatre box office beginning one hour before curtain time.
Info: 322-9924 or www.apachawaii.org. ■
