Redding Pilot
Once On This Island
Barlow's fall musical opens this weekend

Nov 13, 2007

by FRAN SIKORSKI





Joel Barlow High School students are rehearsing for the annual fall Broadway musical, Once On This Island, directed by actress/singer Diana Canova.

For 19 years Diana Canova has directed the John Read School Players, and taught voice and acting in Redding. She has experienced a full circle career in the entertainment field in television, films, guest appearances, major tours, recordings, and on stage. Most recently the actress starred in Stephen Sondheim’s Putting It Together and I Do! I Do! at the Cape Playhouse on Cape Cod. When not performing in musical theater, the actress joins pianist David Morgan of Redding performing jazz and cabaret.

Nearing the home stretch in rehearsals for Once on This Island, Joel Barlow students are off book ready for the four performances on Nov. 15, 16, and 17. The production will be enhanced by a new lighting system, stage floor and curtain.

During a rehearsal break, Ms. Canova said she chose Once On This Island as the fall musical “because the score moves me. I  know book and lyric writer Lynn Ahrens, and Stephen Flaherty who wrote the music, and the actress La Chance who was the original star of the musical that opened at the Booth Theatre on Broadway on Oct. 18, 1990 and played for 489 performances. “I hope the score moves the audience as it has moved the students, because it makes people feel good,” she said.

Based on the novel, My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy, the action takes place on a Caribbean island divided by social prejudice. It is a re-telling of the traditional Little Mermaid tale.

The action revolves around Ti Moune, a poor peasant girl who falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy young man whose life she saves after a car crash. Various gods control the peasants’ lives, including the God of Love (Erzulie); earth (Asaka); water (Agwe); and Death (Paper Ge). The show focuses on the effects social class divisions have on love.

“Once On This Island was originally written for an Afro-American cast, and what’s great is that it can transcend race and story and can be done where it’s not racial,” said Ms. Canova, who is generous in her praise of the large cast of Once On This Island. “It’s been extraordinary for me working with this caliber of talent and thrilling to see everyone so dedicated because I am very organized and run a very tight ship. I love to teach and work with kids,” said the actress, who has coached two young area actresses, Emily Klein and Remy Zakin, both of whom have made it to Broadway.

“I love working with high school kids from freshman to seniors  because it takes me back to my experiences at Hollywood High School, and I had a wonderful teacher. The school  was my oasis because I was doing theater then,” added Ms. Canova.

Equally enthusiastic about the production are cast members like Adam Schurmanns who said, “The experience working with Diana Canova is exciting, adventurous and colorful.”

Casey Saunders of Easton said: “I like working with Diana Canova because we’re like one big family.”

“It’s the first time I’ve played a major character and everyone has been very supportive,” said Christine Fagan.

Brook Benedetto, who plays the lead Ti Moune, said: “It’s been a good show experience, and it’s great working with a new director.”

“I love the show because it compares the difference between the rich and poor of this world,” said Nico Dee.

In charge of choreography is Kristen Mudge of Redding who had never seen the show, but “is creating the choreography from the music with a large variety of movement.” She said the students “are greeting the complicated dance routines with huge enthusiasm.”

Co-producers of Once On This Island are Barbara Bloom and Laurie Anderson; technical director is Chris Angell with technical support by Ian Cieplik; musical director of the band is Chris Breault; choral musical director is Kathy Weiss with accompanist Christina Rao; set design is by Mike D’Agostino, and costumes by Pam Sherman. Stage manager is Amanda Emanuel; and Carol Emanuel is parent volunteer.

The cast of Once On This Island includes: Brooke Benedetto  (Ti Moune) of Easton; Will Truscott (Ton Ton Julian); Christine Fagan (Mama Euralie); Bennett Bottero (Daniel); Kelsea Baker (Andrea).

Sharing the role of young Ti Moune are Jana Saber and Riley D’Agostino

Gods: Julie Preis (Erzulie); Stephanie Ewud (Asaka); Joe Ventricelli  (Agwe); Chris Wasko (Papa Ge).

Storytellers: Milo Cramer, Emmy Mudge, Lauren Shepherd, Nick Wasko.

Gossips: Molly Calzone, Nico Dee, Camille Gillotti, Harrison Lipton, Mary Smuniewski, and Tiffany Touma.

Gatekeepers: Sam Barickman, Chet Davino,

Matt Berry is Armand and Catherine Wright is Mrs. Beauxhomme.

Featured dancers are Lily Dicostanzo (captain); Molly Calzone Phoebe Hart, Alexandra Robertson, Lauren Shepherd, Catherine Wright.

Peasants: Zachary Andrews, Annabelle Augustyn, Kiera Conlon, Samantha De Jager, Lily Dicostanzo, Nina Garoffolo, Amanda Grega, Emma Karl, Amy Osika, Sara Peck, Alexandra Robertson, Jilian Saber, Casey Saunders, Dina Scalo, Adam Schurmanns, Alex Sigel, Alexandra Snavely, Adrian Voss, Ashley Wenger.

Grand Hommes: Sam Barickman, Madeline Breda Chet Davino, Emily Downer, Peter Griffin, Peter Hart Marlee Jensen, Robert Karl, Veronica Magner, Jaclyn Pack, Kyana Powers, Erica Rigby, Will Rutledge, Zach Sherman, Cooper Smithers, Isabel von Jena, Ali Wood.

Members of the stage crew are Charlie Ambler, Kendall Baker, Matthew Bruhin, Carly Davino, Mark Dorenbosch, Thomas Heinold, Ali Herrera, Rachel Hornstein, Olivia Hurwitz, Andrew Kinney, Casey Kinney, Carona Koerfer, Madeline Linder, Zachary Palmer, Dyland Rooney, Kristin Scatamacchia, Zack Shaykan, Eliza Smith, Victoria Storey, Evan Tiefenthaler, James Traggianese, Renee Wasko and Andrew Wyton.

Performances are Nov. 15 at 7:30; Nov. 16 at 8; and Nov. 17 at 2 and 8. Ticket prices are $17 for front orchestra; $15 for rear mezzanine; $10 for side orchestra. Tickets for seniors will be $10 for any seat location at the Nov. 17 matinee. Ticket forms are available at the main offices of all five schools in the Easton/Redding district in addition to libraries, town halls, parks and recreation offices and senior centers.  sons, Matt and Jordie.

© Copyright 2007 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers