Photo Flash: ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Opens at Georgia Ensemble Theatre

Georgia Ensemble Theatre (GET) is proud to announce that its upcoming season will mark the professional theatre's 25th Silver Anniversary, exclusively sponsored by The Thoresen Foundation. Co-Founder and Artistic Director Robert J. Farley has announced a special lineup of shows for this milestone and says, "Our 25th Silver Anniversary is going to be one big party all year long. Each play I have selected to celebrate this occasion has been chosen as a tribute to our subscribers, donors, sponsors, and supporters."

Georgia Ensemble Theatre's 2017-2018 season promises to be a huge celebration as we begin Mr. Farley's farewell season, which will end with his retirement at the closing performance on April 29th, 2018. The five mainstage shows will focus on great music and big laughs as audiences will be transported to the Caribbean, Atlanta, Hollywood and Paris, all ending with the most requested musical in the theatre's history, Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story. In addition to the regular season which includes three musicals, GET will also produce the four-play FamilyStage: Adventure Series, and a four-concert Joe Gransden Big Band series.

Commenting on the opening production Farley said, "I'm thrilled to be able to open our biggest season yet with the hit Broadway musical, Once On this Island. The fact that we got the rights just before its Broadway revival later this fall says a lot about where this theatre is right now, thriving and moving forward."

Once On This Island, from the Tony Award-winning team that brought you Ragtime, is the beautiful tale of triumph and love amidst the turmoil of life and is a treat for the entire family, young and old alike. The production runs September 14th through October 1st, 2017 at the theatre's home in the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. Once On this Island will be directed and choreographed by one of Atlanta's best, Ricardo Aponte, with musical direction by the talented S. Renee Clark. The Robert W. Hagan Family Foundation joins us as the Once On This Island show sponsor.

Farley went on to say, "We've put together the most amazing group of artists to work on this wonderful show. From Ricardo Aponte and S. Renee Clark leading it, to a great cast, to an all-star lineup of designers that include multi award-winning scenic designers Isabel and Moriah Curley-Clay, Emmie Tuttle, the most in-demand young costumer in Atlanta, and lighting and sound from the highly talented Alex Riviere and Preston Goodson respectively."

Audiences will be beckoned to the sunny and starlit Caribbean where they'll experience a rousing Calypso-flavored score, highly charged dance and all the color of the islands. A Broadway favorite and an Olivier Award winner, Once On This Island is the richly rewarding story of a simple island girl who turns into a beautiful young woman searching for her capacity to love.

In speaking with director and choreographer Aponte about the show, he commented: "What initially attracted me to the show was this young woman's heartwarming life journey, while accompanied by such a decadent Caribbean score. The villagers of this island teach us the importance of having a strong sense of community, and it's pertinence in helping us weather life's storms. This is a story for the ones that dare to dream and to love, no matter the consequences."

Artistic Director Farley went on to say, "If you've never seen this beautiful musical, picture The Lion King and the Little Mermaid brought together with the exhilarating rhythms of the Caribbean. This romantic musical folktale makes for a breathtaking theatrical experience."

Once On This Island brings to the stage an extraordinary cast: Shay Pretty , Terry Henry, Robert John Connor, India Tyree, Christian Magby, Marcus Hopkins-Turner, AdriAnna Jackson, Brian Walker, Mahalia Jackson, Benjamin Moore and Adrianna Trachell.

Ticket prices for Once On This Island start at $33 for Wednesdays, Thursdays and matinees; Friday nights start from $40, and Saturday nights start from $43. Book early for best prices. (Senior/Student discounts available for select performances). Tickets are available now online at www.get.org, or by calling the Box Office at 770-641-1260.

Photos Credit: Dan Carmody/Studio 7

Daniel Ti Moune: L-R: Christian Magby, India S. Tyree

Full Cast Dancing: L-R: AdriAnna Jackson, Marcus Hopkins-Turner, India S Tyree, Benjamin Moore, Myshay Pretty, Adrianna Trachell, Brian Walker, Christian Magby, Robert John Connor, Terry Henry, Mahalia Jackson

Ti Moune Asaka: L-R: India S Tyree, Mahalia Jackson

Papa Ge: India S Tyree, Brian Walker

Dancing L-R: AdriAnna Jackson, Christian Magby, : India S Tyree