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Once on
this Island Spring 2003 Historic Playmakers Theater April 24-26, 2003 |
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| CAST Ti Moune – Ashley Kennedy Daniel – David Aidan Mackey Mama – Beverly Johnson Tonton – Amir Thomas Asaka – Gretta Beaty Agwe – Johnie Waddel Erzule – Sarah Vartabedian Papa Ge – James Alsop Andrea – Amy Rae Fox Armand – Jon Todd Storyteller – Caroline Bixiones Storyteller – Sarah Bunch Storyteller – Monica Gibbs Storyteller – Jennifer Hasvold Storyteller – Rebecca Leonard PRODUCTION STAFF Director – Eric Kallin Choreography – Rhyan Minter Musical Director – Leslee Farish Producer – Kamla Kasichainula Orchestral Director – David Moschler Stage Manager – Lorene Atkins Costume Designer – C. Hawkins PIT BAND Travis Horton, Jordan Klemons, Dave Moschler, Dave Krusch, Courtney Pinard, & Elise London |
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From The Daily Tarheel Playmakers Theatre puts on "Once on This Island" By Elliott Dube Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor April 28, 2003 For its final show of the school year, members of the Pauper Players are going to the Caribbean. At least, the company will bring the tropics to historic Playmakers Theatre for the production "Once on This Island." The musical, a collaboration between Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty of "Ragtime" fame, tells the story of Ti Moune, a peasant girl who falls in love with Daniel. When he gets in a car accident, Ti Moune sells her soul to Papa Ge, the God of Death. Various gods proceed to test Ti Moune's feelings for Daniel. This school year's other Pauper Players productions -- "Children of Eden" in November and "Broadway Melodies" in February -- were a rock opera and show tune revue, respectively. "Once on This Island," with its Caribbean and calypso style, is a change of pace for the company. "This is a very different show than we've done," said Jean Kerley, a senior journalism major and Pauper Players administrator. She said the show is very dance-heavy and tells most of its story using choreography. Pauper Players faced a challenge in getting the spring musical together, she said. Rehearsals didn't begin until the week of Feb. 18, and Spring Break effectively took a week out of the company's schedule. Assembling a full cast that could sing, dance and act was another challenge for the crew. "It's an ensemble show, so everyone brings something," said director Eric Kallin, a graduate student. The production features a multiracial cast. Kallin said the story's social and racial themes need to be addressed. "It deals with racism, it deals with social status issues, it deals with 'Is love stronger than death?'" he said. "It deals with maturity, with cutting cords and going out and trying to find your own way." |
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