Once On This Island - Broadway in Chicago

One of the first things I noticed upon arriving at the Broadway touring production of Once On This Island is that some of the audience was seated on stage surrounding the cast -- an unusal thing for a large proscenium stage. The cast of the show is also also out on the stage when you arrive, interacting with each other and with audience members, and setting up to begin the performance. This ultimately makes it appear to be more like a ritual than an Broadway show and creates a sense of intimacy even though the space is so large. 

The story follows a young girl named Ti Moune who is displaced and separated from her parents after a terrible hurricane in Haiti. She is adopted by a loving older couple and deeply rooted in her faith, often praying for guidance to the four gods- Erzule (goddess of love), Asaka (goddess of the harvest), Papa Ge (god of death), and Agwe (god of water). As she searches for her place in the world, the gods decide to send her on a journey. She saves a young man recovering from a car crash and falls in love with him. Little does she know their class differences will make it extremely difficult for her to obtain the happily ever after she is longing for. 
Vibrantly colored costumes, celebratory dancing, and a talented cast of storytellers combine to create an immersive experience. Sand covered the floor beneath the actors' bare feet, and there was a brilliant use of water reminiscent of the ocean upstage. 

​With the growing number of terrible hurricanes and storms all over the world, what we find appealing about this show at this time is that in the face of horrific natural disasters, our stories are what survive. This magical fairy tale with love at its core helps us remember that in times of turmoil, we can find joy, love, faith and community by sharing our stories.

Once On This Island is playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre at 151 W. Randolph from January 21-February 2, 2020.