Show Review with Giana Kusterer
Once on This Island is a musical that first premiered on Broadway in 1990, with a book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty. Based on the 1985 novel My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy, it is set on a Caribbean island and weaves together rich storytelling with vibrant, unforgettable music. The plot follows Ti Moune (Ari Arocho), a young peasant girl who falls in love with Daniel Beauxhomme (Zach Simmons), a wealthy young man from the other side of the island. Ti Moune’s love story unfolds against a backdrop of four gods who control the forces of nature: Agwe (God of Water – Christian Sciarrillo), Asaka (Goddess of the Earth – Tessa Boissonnault), Erzulie (Goddess of Love – Mikaela Russano), and Papa Ge (Demon of Death – Emiko Dunn). As the story progresses, Ti Moune defies the gods in pursuit of love, crossing social and economic boundaries in her quest for a love that transcends fate and destiny, ultimately leading to both sacrifice and tragedy. This tale, shared by a group of storytellers, is a powerful commentary on the resilience of love and the impact of societal divides.
When I first heard that Once on This Island was this year’s musical, I was uncertain, particularly because I was unfamiliar with it. However, I was absolutely blown away by the performance. These students, balancing school, extracurriculars, and sports, gave 110% in their roles. While I can’t compare this production to others, I was left in awe of how seamlessly the music complemented the actors’ voices. Ari Arocho, who played Ti Moune, was absolutely breathtaking. Known throughout Brewster for her incredible vocal control, Ari delivered a performance that was nothing short of spectacular. Her singing was mesmerizing, but her dancing was equally impressive, showcasing her dedication to the character. Ari set a high bar for future performances at BHS, having previously graced the stage in Footloose, James and the Giant Peach, Anything Goes, and Archbishop Stepinac’s Catch Me If You Can as Brenda Strong. This year, she is playing the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wiz at Stepinac, and I highly recommend seeing her before she heads off to college. Her voice alone is a marvel, and I can’t wait to see what she’s nominated for at the Metro Awards after her “Best Female Vocal Performance” win last year for Catch Me if You Can.
Alongside Ti Moune, the four gods (Agwe, Asaka, Erzulie, and Papa Ge) were equally compelling in their roles. Christian Sciarrillo, as Agwe, was a standout with his dynamic dancing and impressive flips, showcasing his talent and potential as a future male lead. The dancing, in fact, was one of the show’s highlights; while Anything Goes last year was full of dance, this year’s choreography felt perfectly balanced, organic, and fluid, enhancing the show rather than overwhelming it. Dancers like Ella Horn, Olivia Leo, and Liliana Tamaro captured my attention with their graceful movements that added a fresh spin to the 1990 production. Returning actors like Tessa Boissonnault and Emiko Dunn, both of whom had roles in last year’s Anything Goes, continued to impress. Tessa, who has previously dazzled in Footloose, James and the Giant Peach, and Anything Goes, brings a magnetic presence to the stage. While I’m sad to see her go, I wish her nothing but the best and hope she continues to perform in the future. Emiko Dunn, who played Papa Ge, delivered a chilling and captivating performance, embodying the dark character with precision. Her costume and makeup, complete with a smoky eye, brought Papa Ge to life in a truly eerie way. I’m excited to see what Emiko brings to the stage for the next two years. As for Mikaela Russano, this was her first year as a lead, and she completely stole my focus. Her portrayal of Erzulie was nothing short of angelic, with her warm and powerful voice and facial expressions clear enough to see from afar. I hope she continues to pursue lead roles; no one should be deprived of her talent.
In the end, I can confidently say that this was my favorite show. It had the perfect blend of talent, energy, and heart, which made it stand out from everything else. The performances, choreography, and visuals were all seamlessly integrated, creating a truly unforgettable experience. The chemistry among the cast members brought the characters to life in such a way that the audience couldn’t help but connect with their journey. It was evident that every person involved poured their heart into the production, making it something remarkable. I’m eagerly looking forward to the Metro Awards, where I’m sure our talented actors and crew will receive the recognition they deserve for their hard work and dedication.
Backstage with Araceli Morales
Along with the perspective of the audience, we wanted to get the view of the people who performed the show. Cast, crew, and pit worked so incredibly hard to put this show together and we wanted to give them the chance to explore what it meant to them.
Arianna Arocho told us that being able to play lead Ti Moune was, ”an incredibly special and beautiful experience for me–one that I will truly never forget. I was able to connect with a character who embodies resilience and fighting for what you believe in, no matter the cost.” She also commented on the technical aspects of the very complex production: “Putting on a difficult show like this was no easy task, but a supportive environment where every cast member felt like a family was forged, which brought it all together. All of our rehearsals were a mix of laughter, focus, and moments of vulnerability, especially as we began to connect with our characters on a deeper level. The process was a blend of hard work, trust, creativity, collaboration, and seeing the show come to life was truly so magical.”
This sentiment was shared amongst all kinds of roles even to ones with less spotlight, such as this author. Behind the scenes was incredible and so special, making it the perfect show for me to end with for my senior year. All of my peers were amazing, as they were incredibly kind and so talented. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to share the stage with. Solomon Bettcher, another ensemble member, said that the show “really helped me appreciate the beauty of theater, with the many different emotions felt throughout the production. Once on This Island’s message of unity was really able to shine, even outside of the show itself. During our production, everyone was so supportive of each other, and many people, like our amazing student leaders, were always there to help others.”
These feelings were shared backstage amongst the crew and pit as well, some of the most underrated people who do the most amazing things outside of view. When asked about the show, they shared the same positivity as the cast and audience. Abby Clark, the crew chief for the show, said that the production “gave me so many opportunities with how technical the set is, and it all started on a drawing on a Starbucks napkin with our director, Nikki, and our set carpenter, Tony.” With a mostly new crew and a lot of moving parts, the show presented “a lot of new challenges as crew chief,” but with the challenge came a lot of personal reward:”I can easily say (it) was the most rewarding show throughout high school. Seeing my name listed as a set designer in the program was such an amazing feeling, and seeing the impact I made on the crew made me feel so proud of my work.. It was my home.”
Fellow crew member Mak Grebb added to this general feeling: “Being in crew is a community where you are all going through similar frustrations, have the same goal of making the show better, and a similar level of stress. All of these factors bring us closer together. Crew is a place where you can find yourself and those like you. It is a community.” This extended to the pit as well, Hannah Meyer (pit) shared that “Being a part of Once on This Island was an amazing experience. Everyone – cast, crew, pit – is so talented, and I’m so glad I was able to be involved in such a phenomenal production! The many, long rehearsals brought us pit members closer together, and we created a strong bond with our shared love of music. Every challenge was worth it in the end, and this production came together so well. It is definitely a show that we will always remember!”
Clearly, Once On This Island left a huge impact on audience members and theater kids alike, giving everyone a truly special lasting impression. This show will definitely be remembered as a landmark production at Brewster High School for so many reasons.
All photos courtesy 4 Sons Photography
