BWW Reviews: Fabulous Family Fun with the Black Rep's ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

Parents often ask me where they can find "family-friendly" shows to see, and judging by the small audience in attendance at the Edison Theatre for the Black Rep's terrific production of Once on this Island (by the award-winning duo of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty), they're unaware of the wonderful works that are out there just aching to be discovered. This fairytale (hence the play in the title on the standard "Once upon a time" opening you often find in those types of stories) is simply delightful, and filled with a slew of catchy Caribbean-influenced songs that make up the score. I think it's truly a crime that this under-appreciated presentation is coming to a close this weekend, and I challenge anyone reading this review to get out and see it. You will certainly not be disappointed, in fact, you'll probably fall in love with it in the same way that my son and I did.

A small girl finds herself orphaned when torrential rains tear through her island village in the French Antilles. The little Ti Moune is lovingly raised by a couple who take it upon themselves to do the right thing. As she grows up to be young woman she falls in love with a young man she nurses back to health after his car crashes during a storm. But, he is one of the French-bred aristocrats, and she is but a peasant girl, and the love that develops between them is doomed from the start by the difference in their classes. But, what could be tragic is instead magical in the way that the situation is eventually resolved.

An absolutely fabulous cast (most of whom play multiple roles) is made more so by the adorable Daryiah Ja'Nnay Ford, who plays the little Ti Moune, completely captivating my young son (and myself) with her performance. Linda Kennedy is great as Mama Euralie, and so is Dr. Robert McNichols, Jr. as TonTon Julian, her adoptive parents. Ashley Ware Jenkins is impressive as the grown up Ti Moune, and so is Timmy Howard as Daniel Beauxhomme, one of the grande homme who rule the island paradise that she gives her love to. Gary Vincent also does fine work as his father, who strongly objects to any thoughts of marriage between the pair, especially since he is already promised to Andrea, nicely essayed by Olivia Neal. J. Samuel Davis (Papa Ge), Jennifer Kelley (Asaga), Billy Flood (Agwe), and Sharonda Gregory (Erzulie) do marvelous work as the Gods who observe and guide the action. Heather Beal, Samantha Lynette Madison, and Dominique Fulton neatly round out the cast as Storytellers.

Ron Himes directs this production, and his deft touch with the material lends it a mystical air that will linger in your memory. He's aided greatly by Keith Tyrone Williams' superb choreography, and by Charles Creath's tuneful and joyous musical direction (Creath is the pianist, with Jeff Anderson on bass, and James Belk, Jr. providing the percussion). Sean Savoie's lighting is simply spectacular, and so is Tim Case's gorgeous scenic design. Luqman Salim's costumes are vibrant and colorful, blending perfectly with the work achieved by Case.

Don't miss the Black Rep's masterful production of Once on this Island! It continues through May 3, 2015 at the Edison Theatre on the campus of Washington University, and an opportunity to see storytelling of this magnitude is rare indeed.

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