Once On This Island at Artistry
Review by Ernest Edwards/Ernest Goes To The Theatre
Last night, I was at the final preview performance of Once On This Island at the Schneider Theater at Artistry located within the Bloomington Community Center. Tonight is opening night. Let me tell you, this production checks all the boxes! Story. Check. Cast. Check! Check! Music & Lyrics. Check. Choreography. Check. Costume Design. Check. Lighting design. Check. Sound design. Check.
Once On This Island premiered on Broadway in 1990. There was a Broadway revival in 2018. I went to the National Tour of the revival at the Ordway in downtown St. Paul in January 2020. What I really enjoyed with the Artistry production, is how intimate the show feels at the Schneider Theater. The cast was telling us this story, the energy for the cast was off the charts!
Something else that I really liked about Artistry’s production is that the orchestra is at the back of the stage. The orchestra pit is covered, which allows for the scenery and the actors to use all that beautiful downstage centerstage space closer to the audience.
The story of the musical is like a present day fairy tale with some mythology thrown in. You have an island nation in the Caribbean. The story begins with a storm. A young Ti Moune is found in a tree, her family was lost and her village was destroyed. She was adopted by a local couple. They are on the poor side of the island. This island does consist of the haves and the have nots. Which is explained at a later point in the musical.
As a young woman Ti Moune is so innocent and so pure of heart, the Gods don’t know what to do with her. They eventually give her what she wants. You know the Gods, there’s a catch, there’s a game that they are playing. The Gods have Daniel’s vehicle crash on the beach near Ti Moune’s village. Daniel has lighter skin and is from the rich side of the island. The villagers want to just leave him, but Ti Moune insists on nursing him back to health. Her father goes to the Hotel on the other side of the island of the island to let them know where Daniel is. While this is going on, the Goddess of Death comes to take Daniel but Ti Moune offers up her life instead. The Goddess of Death leaves for now.
Daniel is taken back to the hotel. Despite her parents protestations, Ti Moune journeys to the hotel. Ti Moune continues to help Daniel heal from his injuries. As time goes on, Ti Moune learns that Daniel is already engaged. Ti Moune is kicked out of the hotel and waits by the gates. Ti Moune is so heart broken and to close to death and yet she refuses to move. Daniel and his wife who up to the gates weeks later to throw offering’s to the poor. Ti Moune is still there. Here is the where the Gods make up for what they have done to Ti Moune. The Gods turn Ti Moune into a tree. She bears lots of fruit. The tree is situated as such that the main gates for the hotel can never be closed. Ti Moune provides life, shade and nourishment to all. This was a such a beautiful and well executed moment on stage.
This was a very moving story. The music and lyrics, the cast, and the visuals made for a moving and entertaining night at the theater.
Need to call out Antonisia Collins as Ti Moune, Gabe Woodard as Daniel, Darius Gillard a Tonton Julian, and Charla Marie Bailey as Mama Euralie. This is definitely an ensemble production, and I can’t say enough about this amazing cast.
Run time is 90 minutes, which I do like for week night. The musical continues through October 26, 2026. Check out artistrymn.org for tickets.
