Happy 25th Anniversary to ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 10/18/15 at 12:52am

It opened at the Booth Theatre on October 18, 1990.

 

The Broadway debut of the songwriting team Ahrens & Flaherty, the show starred LaChanze and Jerry Dixon, directed and choreographed by Graciela Daniele.

 

I've been obsessed with the score for YEARS and love love love the cast album. "Waiting for Life" is an all time classic solo, the bridge and key change before the last chorus gives me chills in the best way! "Rain" is another favorite of mine, and of course "Forever Yours."

 

Anyone have any memories to share?

 

Updated On: 10/18/15 at 12:52 AM

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 10/18/15 at 1:32am

Tony Awards Clip:

 

LaChanze performs on Rosie to promote the benefit concert in 2002:

[Fantod]

Posted: 10/18/15 at 2:06am

I quite like the show, though I don't have the same love for it as a lot of people. I think it's gentle and enjoyable, though hardly world-beating. I'm glad these anniversary threads are back, as I've missed them over the past few months. Is that because you stopped doing them or were there just no important anniversaries in recent months? Lovely spread as always, Nowack.

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 10/18/15 at 2:11am

After being in this show this past summer it has become one of my favorite shows. The show itself is beautiful along with the message. The score is amazing and vibrant and one of my favorite ever. It's an amazing piece of theatre that needs to be done more. 

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 10/18/15 at 2:54am

Fantod, there are just not many shows that opened during the summer, especially in the olden days. August is generally as early as a show would open (though there was a time where shows opening early was April were counted in the following fall's season) and that's fairly rare. For example the earliest musical to open Fall 1965 was DRAT THE CAT! on October 10. 

 

I briefly started the vintage theatre pictures threads to make up for the lack but reception was sorta tepid so I stopped those.

Updated On: 10/18/15 at 02:54 AM

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 10/19/15 at 9:27pm

We did this in middle school and it was my first real show (not just in some makeshift chorus) so I have fond memories of it that probably skew my opinion a little. This thread gave me the push to listen to the cast album for the first time. I think it probably sounded more dynamic in person but I still love this music. Thank you for this thread!

[Cupid Boy2]

Posted: 10/19/15 at 9:36pm

I was a part of a student production of Once On This Island as well but back in high school. In fact, that's my only performing credit, haha! I truly love this show and its score. It's an Ahrens & Flaherty gem.

 

Thanks for the beautiful photos, Nowack. What I wouldn't give to have seen all of that first-hand. 

Updated On: 10/19/15 at 09:36 PM

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 10/19/15 at 9:39pm

I think it's one of the most exposed scores out there, because it's very popular with schools. I was forever angry that my wish school director picked BEAUTY & THE BEAST instead of this show.

 

I love the vibrancy of the original production's design, 

[mattporter17]

Posted: 10/19/15 at 9:44pm

Fun fact, this show actually got me into musical theater. I have it to thank for even being on these boards today!

[EthelMae]

Posted: 10/19/15 at 11:58pm

Thank you for these great pics! I adored this show and saw it many times at the Booth. Everything just fit right in this show: score, book, sets, costumes, lighting, choreography and of course cast. I just can't believe it was so long ago!
Special thank you should go out to Playwrights Horizons where it all started. (And thank you Playwrights for your recent great productions, The Qualms and The Christians, of which I saw both many times!)

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 10/20/15 at 12:00am

These photos are actually from the Playwrights Horizons run of the show. I believe the entire cast continued with the show.