Musical Theatre

North Central seniors produce the musical fairy tale “Once on This Island”

Feb 13, 2017

North Central College senior students will stage the Tony-nominated musical “Once on This Island,” a fairy tale celebration of love, hope, life and death.

Four performances will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23-25 and at 2 p.m. from Feb. 26 in the College’s Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave. Tickets are $15/adults and $10/students and seniors; call 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix. Please note, there will be use of haze during the show.

“Once on This Island” was created by Tony Award-winning songwriting team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” it tells the story of Ti Moune, a peasant girl, who rescues Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of the island, with whom she falls in love. Unknown to Ti Moune, the gods who preside over the Caribbean island make a bet with one another over which is stronger, love or death, with the stakes being Ti Moune’s life. The story follows the tale of Ti Moune as she goes on her quest to prove that love is stronger than death.

North Central College senior theatre majors produce all aspects of the show, which is directed by Miranda Harris with musical direction by Bobby Taves.

“One of the ideas that ‘Once on This Island’ presents is the importance of the oral tradition and passing stories down from one generation to the next,” says Harris. “Ti Moune’s journey is used as a parable for the little girl, as well as the audience, and is meant to emphasize the strength that love offers us.

“Through Ti Moune’s story, we’re taught that our differences can often divide us, but they also can be a unifying force to bring us together,” says Harris.

[Photo above, center: Bridget Adams-King ’19 as Ti Moune]

The cast is (role, name, town, year, major):

Ti Moune: Bridget Adams-King of Western Springs, a sophomore majoring in musical theatre
Tonton: Nathan Calaranan of Chicago, a freshman majoring in theatre
Mamma: Jordan DePhillips of Minooka, a junior majoring in theatre and marketing
Papa Ge: Jake Elkins of Aurora, a freshman majoring in musical theatre
Daniel: Michaël Hudetz of Batavia, a junior majoring in music education
Agwe: Jack Lindberg of Batavia, a junior majoring in theatre and music
Young Girl: Courtney Miller of New Lenox, a 2016 graduate in mathematics
Armand: Juan Munoz of Coal City, a sophomore majoring in theatre
Asaka: Sarah Rosenberg of Arlington Heights, a junior majoring in Spanish and theatre
Andera: Abby Schwarz of Riverside, a freshman majoring in musical theatre and biochemistry
Erzulie: Carlie Sherman of Overland Park, Kan., a freshman majoring in musical theatre
Ensemble: Sarah Beck of Littleton, Colo., a sophomore majoring in musical theatre and global studies; Nicole Borowski of Itasca, a junior majoring in theatre; Norah Flaherty of Oswego, a sophomore majoring in theatre and organizational communication; Michaela Foulkrod of Monroe, Mich., a freshman majoring in musical theatre; Marc Malandrino of Wauconda, a sophomore majoring in biology; Brooke Michalik of Plainfield, a freshman majoring in musical theatre; Nico Salazar of Racine, Wis., a sophomore majoring in psychology; Kira Savegnago of Wheaton, a freshman majoring in musical theatre

The production crew is (role, name, town, year, major):

Director: Miranda Harris of Normal, a senior majoring in musical theatre and theatre
Music director: Bobby Taves of Naperville, a senior majoring in theatre
Music supervisor: Anne Lorentzen of Sequim, Wash., a senior majoring in musical theatre
Choreographer: Amanda Zgonina of Elmhurst, a senior majoring in musical theatre
Scenic designer: Stephen Kossak of Somonauk, a senior majoring in theatrical design and theatre
Assistant to the scenic designer: Alex Poe of Thousand Oaks, Calif., a sophomore majoring in theatre and theatrical design
Lighting designer: Sara Monteleone of West Chicago, a senior majoring in musical theatre and theatrical design
Costume designer: Kandace Huebner of Naperville, a senior majoring in psychology and musical theatre
Assistant to the costume designer: Caitlin O’Brien of Naperville, a sophomore majoring in theatre
Costume coordinator: Linnea Griffin of Bloomington, Ill., a senior majoring in musical theatre 
Hair and makeup designer: Torie Trenter of Naperville, a senior majoring in theatre
Sound design: Tom Noesen of Naperville, a senior majoring in theatre and theatrical design
Dramaturg: Jack Morsovillo of Franklin Park, a senior majoring in theatre
Stage manager: Carrie Anderson of Bolingbrook, a senior majoring in theatre 
Assistant stage manager: Lillian Baldwin of Chicago, a senior majoring in theatre and theatrical design
Production manager: Cody Talkie of Joliet, a senior majoring in musical theatre and theatre
Young performer supervisor: Taylor Benoit of Bartlett, a senior majoring in theatre and theatrical design
Props designer: April Newman of Monmouth, IL, a senior majoring in musical theatre
Props master: Alex Moerer of Waverly, Iowa, a senior majoring in theatre and broadcast communication
Acting coach: Maddie Burke of Monroe, Mich., a senior majoring in theatre
Vocal coach: Rachel Rodewald of Hampshire, Ill., a senior majoring in theatre

North Central College’s 2016-2017 Fine and Performing Arts Season is partially sponsored by BMO Harris Bank; Nicor Gas; Advanced Data Technologies; Naperville Magazine; Catch 35; Dommermuth, Cobine, West, Gensler, Philipchuck, Corrigan and Bernhard, Ltd.; DuPage Foundation; Hotel Indigo Naperville Riverwalk; Monarch Landing; Pinot’s Palette; Savant Capital Management; Sullivan’s Steakhouse; Naperville Special Events and Cultural Amenities Fund; Illinois Arts Council Agency; and Naperville Development Partnership.