The Bossier Parish Community College Theatre Program and the Cavalier Players announce the opening show of its 2018-2019 season – Once on this Island. The musical is based on the 1985 book My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy. With book & lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty, Once on this Island is set in the Caribbean and is the retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid.
Performances are set for 7:30 pm October 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 and 2:00 pm on October 14 and 21 in the Stephen W. Slaughter Theatre in Building C on the BPCC campus, 6220 East Texas Street, Bossier City, LA.
Dr. Ray Scott Crawford, dean of Communication and Performing Arts, directs the Cavalier Player’s production of Once on this Island. Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl in search of her place in the world, and ready to risk it all for love. Guided by the mighty island gods, Ti Moune sets out on a remarkable journey to reunite with the man who has captured her heart. In My Love, My Love the boundary is socio-economical and in The Little Mermaid the boundary is land and sea. There have been connections made to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet as well, which again tells the story of a young couple whose families oppose their love and try to keep them apart.
In addition to Crawford directing this performance, Laura Beeman Nugent is the choreographer, David White is the scenic designer, Rona Leber is the costume designer, and Keith Bruce is the lighting designer. Jasey Gilbert will stage-manage with BPCC theatre student Allison-Rebekah Miller as the assistant stage manager. Robert Cote is the music operator.
The cast includes Barbara Holmes as Mama Euralie, Mikah Thomas as Tonton Julian, Yoon Lee as Ti Moune, Michael Rogers as Daniel, John Medlin as Armond, Annie Barker as Andrea, Dillon Dixon as Papa Ge, Gabrielle James as Asaka, Myeleke Saimon as Agwe, Malicia Owens as Erzulie. The cast is rounded out by the storytellers played by Adam Stampley, Avery Cole, Bianca Anderson, Cidney LaCour, Davion West, John Stewart, Kate Leighton, Kelsi Canada, Lily Stone, Louis Nelson, Regina Williams, Sachiri Henderson, Sarah Johnson, Spencer Leighton,Taylor Brown, and Tray Gay.
Tickets are $15. To schedule a reservation, call 318-678-6021 or visiting our website at https://www.bpcc.edu/academics/communication-performing-arts/index. Season ticket memberships, which include two tickets to all four BPCC mainstage shows, are also available for $45 through the run of this show.
The production is recommended for teenage and older audiences. For more information, contact Kim Condon at 318-678-6525 or by email at kcondon@bpcc.edu.
“A bewitching musical that celebrates love, resilience and the spirit of hope.” — Daily News