Once on This Island
Book and Lyrics by LYNN AHRENS
Music by STEPHEN FLAHERTY
Based Upon The Novel “My Love, My Love” By Rosa Guy
ISSAQUAH MAY 14–JUNE 16, 2024 | EVERETT JUNE 22–JULY 14, 2024
Once on this Caribbean Island, Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl, decided to risk it all for love. Guided by the mighty island gods, she sets out on a remarkable journey to reunite with the man who has captured her heart. Can she prove that love is more powerful than death?
With a Calypso-flavored score from Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the Tony Award-winning songwriters of Anastasia and Ragtime, Once on This Island is a captivating adaptation of the beloved fairy tale The Little Mermaid.
Relish in this breathtaking and imaginative dance-filled musical, which overflows with love, grief, faith, and hope.
SIMONE ALENE, (Andrea, u/s Erzulie) is so excited to be back at Village after her run as the head Shirelle in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Simone has worked all over Seattle, including The 5th Avenue Theatre, Renton Civic Theatre, InD Theatre Company, and SecondStory Repertory. Favorite roles include Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Ilse in Spring Awakening, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Rosencrantz in Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead. Find her on Instagram at @simone_alene, or shop her Disney-themed small business at @grumpysunflowerstudios.
MARLETTE BUCHANAN, (Mama Euralie) is excited to return to Village Theatre! Village Mainstage: Medda in Disney’s Newsies, Queenie in Showboat, Asaka in Once on This Island. Recent/favorite credits include Aunt Em in The Wiz (The 5th Avenue Theatre); Effy in The Spitfire Grill, Mabel in Crowns, and Clairee in Steel Magnolias (Taproot Theatre); Myrna in Milk Like Sugar and Lula in Violet (ArtsWest Theatre); Carmina Burana (Spectrum Dance Theatre), Lily in Porgy and Bess (Seattle Opera), Nell in Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Sarah in Ragtime. Much love to family and friends!
KATAKA CORN, they/them (Erzulie) is ecstatic to be back at Village Theatre! Select credits: Sophie U/S and Ensemble in Mamma Mia! and Welcome Home – A Holiday Concert (Village Theatre), Yitzhak in Hedwig and The Angry Inch (ArtsWest), Dorothy in The Wiz and Jo U/S in Afterwords (The 5th Avenue Theatre). Kataka is grateful for the support of their community and family.
JASMINE HALL, she/her (Little Ti Moune) is delighted to make her Village Theatre debut! Recently, she was part of the Petit Cor in Carmen (Tacoma Opera), and supernumerary in Elixir of Love and the world premiere of A Thousand Splendid Suns (Seattle Opera). When she’s not on stage, Jasmine enjoys creating art, playing piano and violin, skiing, and gliding on roller skates. Special thanks to her family and friends and her first theatre teacher, Ms. Anne, for their endless support. Enjoy the show!
JESIMIEL R. JENKINS, (Armand, u/s Agwe, u/s Tonton). Village Theatre debut. A Thick Description of Harry Smith (Vol. 1), The Oresteia, and Father Comes Home from the Wars (University of Washington School of Drama). Local credits: Choir Boy (ACT Theatre), The Tempest (Seattle Shakespeare Company), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Tacoma Arts Live). Regional credits: Ragtime (Hangar Theatre) and Rent (Media Theatre). Commercials: Mitsubishi, Old Navy, and Pedego. Recent graduate, MFA in acting, University of Washington. “We tell the story!” IG: @jesimielross
SYDNEY QUILDON, (Ti Moune) is super excited to be making her Village Theatre debut! She is currently pursuing a BFA in musical theatre at The Hartt School. Sydney was most recently in The Goodspeed Opera House Festival of New Musicals. She sends her love and thanks to her friends, mentors, and family (and her puppy Rico)!! Instagram @_syd.q
KELSEY SCOTT, (Asaka). Kelsey’s theatre credits include the world premiere of Pearl Cleage’s What I Learned in Paris, the title role in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, and principal roles in Dreamgirls, Once on This Island, and Little Shop of Horrors. She is a two-time Emmy-nominee, best known for her work in 12 Years A Slave and “How to Get Away with Murder.” Additional screen credits include “Better Call Saul,” “Insecure,” “NCIS,” “True Detective,” and the recently released KEMBA.
YUSEF D. SEEVERS, he/they (Papa Ge) is excited to make his mainstage debut at Village Theatre. Yusef is new to Seattle and a queer Detroit native holding an MFA in acting and BFA in musical theatre. Select credits: Dr. Grayburn in Something’s Afoot and Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (The 5th Avenue Theatre); Narrator in Black Nativity (Intiman Theatre); and Prophet in Last Drive to Dodge (Taproot Theatre). Thank you, Mom and Dad, for always making sure I found joy. @Blackbassclef, Yusefseevers.com.
MARIAH SHRINER, (Little Ti Moune) is so excited to make her debut at Village Theatre. Mariah has appeared in several school productions and has done musical theater classes, dance, piano, and voice. In addition to singing and dancing, Mariah enjoys time with friends and reading books. Mariah is thankful for Jesus, family, and friends.
JESSE JONATHAN SMITH SR., (Tonton Julian) is thrilled to be joining this amazing cast and crew. He has been seen at various theaters around the Pacific Northwest, including Sound Theatre Company, ArtsWest, and The 5th Avenue Theatre. Much love to friends, family, Peggy, and Finn. This one is dedicated to you, Junior. Daddy loves you.
CHANDLER T. THOMAS, he/him (Agwe) is overjoyed to be returning to the Village Theatre stage; he was previously seen as a Drifter and Ensemble in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, C.C. White U/S and Ensemble in Dreamgirls, and Seaweed U/S and Ensemble in Hairspray. Other credits: Annie and Mamma Mia! (The 5th Avenue Theatre), Lola in Kinky Boots and Brad in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Tacoma Musical Playhouse), as well as educational tours with Book-It Repertory Theatre, Tacoma Arts Live, and The 5th Avenue Theatre. Peace and love!
JEFFERY WALLACE, (Daniel) is thrilled to be returning to Village Theatre. Previous credits: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical and Hello, Dolly! (Village Theatre); Once on This Island and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Tacoma Musical Playhouse); All Shook Up, Holiday Inn, and Big Fish (ManeStage Theatre Company). Off stage, Jeff runs his own interior design and coffee business, Saints Society. He is blessed to share his God given gifts and thanks his family, friends, and partner for their support. @Jbrianjr_
BRANDI BIRDSONG, (u/s Mama Euralie, u/s Papa Ge) is a So-Cal native performing artist with a BM in vocal performance. Some of her favorite credits include Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors (Village Theatre), Adriana in The Comedy of Errors (Seattle Shakespeare Company), and Duncan in Macbeth: A Rock Musical (Seattle Public Theater). Brandi has also had the privilege to work with Seattle Opera, Tacoma Opera, and was a featured artist on NPR Music Live Sessions.
SYDNEY RAE BLOSCH, she/her (u/s Andrea) is thrilled to be making her Village Theatre debut! Proud Oklahoma City University BM in music theatre alum. Previous credits: Party Worth Crashing (Our Time Players), The Bluest Eye, Sister Act, Hairspray, Rent (Oklahoma City University). To her family & friends—thank you for your unwavering support. To the cast and crew—what an immense honor it is to be telling this story with you. Enjoy the show!
NALICA HENNINGS, (u/s Ti Moune, u/s Asaka) graduated from Western Washington University with a BA in music and a minor in theatre. She has performed as Lucille/Ensemble in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Village Theatre), Chorus in Porgy and Bess (Seattle Opera), and Aquata/Ensemble in Disney’s The Little Mermaid (The 5th Avenue Theatre). Feel free to follow her on Instagram @nalica.performs
MATT LOCKETT, (u/s Daniel, u/s Armand) is a Seattle area actor and singer excited to be making his Village Theatre debut! He has been a soloist with the Seattle Men’s Chorus, and has worked on projects with Dacha Theatre, Renton Civic Theatre, The Shattered Glass Project, and Theatre Battery. He is beyond grateful for the opportunity to join the stellar cast of Once on This Island! MatthewLockett.com
