'Once on This Island' review: A story worth telling again and again

 Lani Ligot, Reese Iso, Lorenz Martinez, Radha, Thea Astley, Jef Flores and Shiela Valderama-Martinez at their curtain call. Photo by Fred Hawson 

After a terrible storm hit their island, Tonton Julian (Raul Montesa, alternate Noel Rayos) and his wife Mama Euralie (Lani Ligot) found orphaned Little Ti Moune (Reese Iso, alternate Bianca Estacio) on a tree. Despite their age and poverty, they decided to adopt her as their daughter. When she grew up into her teens, Ti Moune (Thea Astley) always helped her parents work in the fields, but she wanted to do more, and was excitedly waited for her life to begin.

The four gods -- mother of the earth Asaka (Radha), god of water Agwe (Garrett Bolden), goddess of beauty Erzulie (Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, alternate Jasmine Fitzgerald) and demon of death Papa Ge (Lorenz Martinez) -- heard Ti Moune's yearning and granted her wish. Agwe created a strong storm which caused young "grand homme" Daniel (Jef Flores) to crash his car. Ti Moune witnessed the accident and took care for the young man.  

This is not the first time that I watched this play as it had been staged a number of times locally before. I am already familiar with the story adapted by Lynn Ahrens from a 1985 novel "My Love, My Love" by Rosa Guy, which in turn was adapted from Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid." I already loved a number of its catchy songs with lilting calypso beats written by Stephen Flaherty -- particularly "We Dance" and "Waiting for Life."

As for this new production, 9 Works and director Robbie Guevara chose their Ti Moune well. Triple-threat Thea Astley delivered strongly during her dramatic moments, belted with her crystal-clear singing voice in her musical numbers, and displayed terpsichorean chops during Ti Moune's impromptu island dance number at the ball. (I had seen alternate Angela Ken do very well in "Spelling Bee" last February, so I am looking forward to see her as Ti Moune.)

Jef Flores seemed to be having an off day at the matinee show I saw as Daniel. The chemistry between him and Astley was not working because he seemed tired and lacked energy, even in his solo "Some Girls." He came across as much older than her. We know he is capable of better work, 2-time Gawad Buhay best actor winner that he is. (The alternate is Sam Concepcion. Curious what he can bring to this character.)

The vocal powerhouses playing the gods all had knockout solo spots -- "Rain" for Agwe, "Mama Will Provide" for Asaka, "The Human Heart" for Erzulie and "Promises/ Forever Yours (Reprise)" for Papa Ge. 

The aristocratic Andrea, Ti Moune's rival, was played by Krystal Kane (alternate Shanaia Gomez). The storytellers were Fay Castro, Samantha Libao, skillful dancer Jordan Andrews and the delightfully cute scene-stealer Jonjon Martin.

There were scenes where the blocking choices for certain characters looked awkward from where I was seated. The center area of the circular ramp going all around the stage was a rather tight space, so there were dancers bumping into each other. Those hula hoops with long strips of paper hanging all around used in the "Rain" number did not look good for me. Anyhow, this was only opening weekend, so there is still time to tighten things up.  

9 Works Theatrical's production of "Once on This Island" has a LIMITED RUN ONLY from September 6 to 29 at the RCBC Plaza, Makati City. The show is about 90 minutes long, without an intermission.

This review was originally published in the author's blog, “Fred Said.”