Harada, Leung, Llana, et al. Set for ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Concert, 5/16

A group of Asian-American Broadway performers will come together to perform a concert version of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty on May 16 at the York Theatre.

The event will celebrate Asian Heritage month and will be directed by Gerry McIntyre, a member of the original cast, with musical direction by Randy Redd. The performance will begin at 7:30 PM.

The cast will feature Ann Harada (Asaka), Jose Llana (Papa Ge), Yuka Takara (Ti Moune), Telly Leung (Daniel), Christine Toy Johnson (Erzulie), Paolo Montallban (Agwe), Jason Ma (Ton Ton Julian), Hazel Ann Raymundo (Mama Euralie), Deborah Lew (Andrea), Alan Ariano (Armand) and Kylie Liya Goldstein (Little Ti Moune).

Author and lyricist Lynn Ahrens has worked with composer Stephen Flaherty on a number of projects including RAGTIME, Dessa Rose, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE and SEUSSICAL.

When ONCE ON THIS ISLAND premiered on Broadway in 1991, it received 9 Tony Award nominations. ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is a Caribbean-flavored, almost non-stop song and dance story of a peasant girl who saves and then falls in love with the son of a wealthy family. She is then set on a quest by the gods to test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred and death. The show features songs like "Waiting for Life," "The Human Heart," and "Mama Will Provide."

For reservations call Pearl Brady at (212) 869-8543 or email eeo@actorsequity.org. The York Theatre is located at the Theatre at St. Peters, 619 Lexington Avenue in New York City.

The mission of The York Theatre Company is to be a birthplace for new literate, intimate musicals, and a place where underappreciated musical gems from the past are rediscovered; to provide support for the creators of new musical theatre and be a showcase for new musical theatre talent of all kinds; to provide students with opportunities for hands-on theatre education, and to serve the community by presenting free or low-cost musical theatre performances to under-served audiences.

For more information, visit online at www.yorktheatre.org.

 

 

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.