By Pen Chance '15, Augusta, GA
;
;As spring begins to show its face, join Catawba College and the
Blue Masque on a journey of hope and love in the
theatrical production of Once on This Island. The production runs March 20-23, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Catawba's Florence Busby Corriher Theater.
With a moving story written by Tony Award Winner, Lynn Ahrens, and stunning score composed by Grammy Nominee and Tony Award Winner, Stephen Flaherty, Once on This Island tells the story of a girl on a tropical island, who uses the power of love to bring people of all kinds together in harmony. Led by an ensemble of story-tellers, Once on This Island throws the audience into a folktale through song and dance.
In this adaption of Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid, student director Jodye Carroll of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., wanted to focus on a more choreographed performance. She explained, "It's very movement-based which is certainly a big factor in why I chose it, but it also pushes some very tough questions, and it leaves room for interpretation, which I really love. This is not your typical happy musical where everything is tied up with a bow at the end. It really showcases some great talent that we have here on campus through a genre that the department hasn't really explored in quite some time."
Local artist Matt Newton, a 2010 Catawba alumnus, handles the musical direction of the show, with junior Allison Andrews of Sherrills Ford. The student design team consists of juniors Brandon Engelskirchen of Concord, set design; Jacquelyn Loy of Burlington, costume, hair and makeup design; and Jerry Archer of Candler , lighting design. Taking the reins as stage manager is junior Tyler Elrod of Davidson, along with freshman Leanna Hicks of Richmond, Va., assistant stage manager.
The cast includesTyNia Brandon of Charlotte; Donna Steele of Charlotte; Kara Procell of Bel Air, Md.; Ashley Jackon of University Place, Wash.; Alicia Almodovar of Port Saint Lucie, Fla.; Lara Williams of Wellington, Fla.; Cole McDonnell of Scranton, Pa.; Jordan Clifton of Garner; Rayshaun Sandlin of Knightdale; Jura Davis of Charlotte; and Gyo Gamble of Concord.
Tickets are $5 for general admission and $4 for students and senior citizens with group discounts available. Tickets may be purchased online at www.catawba.edu/theatretix or at the box office on the nights of the performance. For more details, call the Catawba College Theatre Box Office at (704) 637-4481.
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PHOTOS: "Once on This Island" Theatre Production
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