‘Once on This Island’ Coming to SJV

Winter has just started, but rehearsal for the spring musical is just about to begin. This year the musical will be “Once on This Island.” It is about a peasant girl named Ti Moune being saved from a massive flood by the Gods to show which is more powerful, love or death. Ti Moune tries to heal a wealthy man named Daniel Beauxhomme after a car crash. The two realize that they are in love, but Papa Ge, or the God of death, has come to take Daniel’s life. Ti Moune offers her life instead, but Papa Ge leaves without either because now her life belongs to him.

Daniel leaves with his people back to his side of the island, but Ti Moune leaves her parents to find Daniel again. Ti Moune faces many difficulties through her travels, but overcomes them and finds Daniel once again. At first he does not recognize her, but after she describes the scar on his chest from the accident, he remembers her. Erzulie, or the Goddess of love, gives them the gift of love. The two go to a ball and Ti Moune is asked to dance by Andrea Deveraux, a family friend of Daniel’s. Andrea thinks Ti Moune will be unable to dance because she is a peasant girl, but Ti Moune dances very well and the rich high society crowd cheers for her. Daniel is reminded that he is betrothed to Andrea and must follow through with the wedding.

Ti Moune’s heart is crushed, and Papa Ge reminds her that she can die or she can kill Daniel. Ti Moune was going to kill Daniel, but she could not go through with it. The Beauxhomme guards find her and throw her off the grounds. Ti Moune waits outside the gates for days to see Daniel again, but the next time she sees him is right after him and Andrea are married. The newly-wed couple throws coins outside the gate to celebrate the marriage, and once Daniel see Ti Moune he places a silver coin in her hands and leaves. Erzulie takes Ti Moune to the ocean where Agwe, or the Goddess of water, allows her to die peacefully. Papa Ge took her to the gates where Asaka, the Goddess of Earth, transforms her body into a tree, breaking open the gate.

Jessica Venture, one of the cast members, had this to say about her part in the musical, ”I am so excited to be a part of the cast and assistant choreographer of Once on This Island. This musical is going to be unlike anything the drama club has done before and each cast member is so talented and dynamic. We are all ready to get to work and put on a great show!” Mrs. Ryan, Ms. Figur and Mrs. Terry will be behind the amazing acting, singing, dancing, and pit band when the show starts in April 2014.