Once on This Island
at Dominion High School

Reviewed on April 1, 2022

Amanda Jacobson
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

A constant drum beats within like a beating heart, rain pours down, four Gods cast down relentless influence from the heavens, and in the center of it all sits a small girl holding all the burden of death yet carrying the beaming potential of love. Here sat the suspenseful opening to Dominion High School's sublime production of Once on this Island.

Originally premiering on Broadway in 1990, Once on this Island is a coming-of-age love story that explores the differences between the rich and poor on an acutely divided island. A young poor girl, Ti Moune, fueled by the need to save the boy she loves, ventures high and low across her island to get to him. Along the way, Ti Moune is faced with challenges put in her way by the Gods whose influence molds the story as it unfolds. The core behind Ti Moune's voyage is the ongoing battle between Erzulie and Papa Ge who use Ti Moune to prove which force is stronger: love or death.

Watching over the production were the magnificent team of Gods. Papa Ge (Lareina Allred), Agwe (Naomi Gorbach), Erzulie (Madhya Clinch), and Asaka (Lilly Hurtado) who hovered above each scene, watching over the story and helping the characters along their journeys. Each performer brought constant and unique characterization, even when they were just observers to the plot. The flowing arms of the ocean, the swiveling hips of the Earth, the warm, beating heart of love, and the searing stare of death all excellently blended together creating a beautifully palpable troupe of Gods.

Holding the heart of the show was Madhya Clinch, as Erzulie: the Goddess of Love. Always adorned with a kind and tender smile, Clinch brought a special spark to the performance. She not only expressed her beaming love upon Ti Moune and the villagers, but also the audience and all to see. Clinch's vocals blended harmoniously with the rest of the cast and every note she sang was as clear as Agwe's water.

The ever-changing and evolving story was skillfully assisted by the versatile set designed by Maguire Crowe, Lariena Allred, Ella Greer, and Lilly Hurtado. The crew of designers expertly crafted a simple set of platforms and trees which allowed the performers to transform each space as they needed. Each of the Gods were raised above the rest to portray their heavenly status and their platform height directly correlated to their importance to the plot. The set always suited the scenes as if it were its own character.

Aiding the scenic design in setting each scene was the zealous ensemble of dancing storytellers who filled the village. The storytellers transformed with every new setting, not only changing their costumes but also their unique and individualistic acting and dancing styles.

The intricate choreography by Gabby Hoover and Kalindi Vyas was filled to the brim with passionate Caribbean influence bringing a sense of realism to the detailed narrative. Both Hoover and Vyas radiated electricity as they elegantly pranced and danced around each scene they touched.

In a story about finding oneself in the darkness, Dominion High School's cast and crew were always able to shine a light ahead of themselves. Together, the cast and crew created a touching reminder to "why we tell the story."

Amelia Preble
Robinson Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

As the house lights dim, four ethereal figures appear within the audience and make their way onstage, assuming their positions in the colorfully lit island scene. The opening notes begin, and two whirlwind hours of passion, tragedy, and love ensue. Dominion High School's "Once on This Island" swept audiences to a faraway island in an impactful and memorable journey.

"Once on This Island", written by Lynn Ahrens and Steven Flaherty, is a retelling of "The Little Mermaid" set on an island in the French Antilles. The story follows a young peasant girl, Ti Moune, who falls in love with a far wealthier "grand homme" boy and makes a dangerous deal with the gods. The compelling musical is full of beautiful songs and tells a timeless story of love and betrayal.

Throughout the show, the four gods remained constantly engaged and involved, observing and manipulating the story as powerful, omnipotent beings. Each individual brought a unique value to their character, committing to distinct character choices that aligned with their role in Ti Moune's journey. Lareina Allred played the sinister Papa Ge with terrifying confidence and precision. As the god of death's opposite, Madhya Clinch, playing Erzulie, maintained a soft and kind demeanor, approaching every scene with grace and a stunning maturity. Naomi Gorbach (Agwe) had a constant powerful presence, leading the compelling song "Rain" with rich low vocals. As Asaka, Lilly Hurtado channeled the warmth and comfort of the earth to balance out the stern nature of the other gods.

The full cast, although small, brought the spirit and unity of the tight-knit community they portrayed. As an ensemble, they consistently delivered commanding vocals and professionally executed harmonies, particularly in the key emotional song "Pray". Beyond the skill or accuracy of their performances, they each brought the life and energy needed to perform this show, telling a clear story of growth and love in their every move.

Complementing the talented and colorful cast were countless impressive technical aspects. Technicians went above and beyond with special effects to shape the raw power of the cast into true magic onstage. Multiple times, a system designed and constructed by Lareina Allred, Maguire Crowe, Ella Greer, and Lilly Hurtado made it physically rain onstage-- a captivating effect far beyond the expectations for high school theater. Based on extensive research, Maguire Crowe also designed charming and fully functional animal puppets, bringing personality and life to the island environment. A more subtle success was achieved by the sound designer Maggie Kraehenbuehl, who managed to perfectly balance the actors and the orchestra without a single mistake, a rare feat and a sign of true skill.

Dominion High School's "Once on This Island" was unified by the devotion and affection of a close-knit group. Every actor and technician worked together to build a beautiful celebration of community, proving once and for all "why we tell the story".

Sarah Jakubowski
Broad Run High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

There is an island where rivers run deep, and on this island, Dominion High School tells the story of Once on This Island. Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's colorful and energetic musical adaptation of My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy follows four gods watching over a young peasant girl named Ti Moune (Katy Price) as she falls in love with a boy from the wealthy side of the island (Chase Bochenek). Although Dominion High School utilized non-traditional casting choices, the company handled the material skillfully, painting beautiful stage pictures all throughout.

The four gods commanded the stage in addition to their respective elements. The water god Agwe, played by Naomi Gorbach, demonstrated incredible physicality, maintaining a wavelike motion at every moment. Lilly Hurtado's performance as the earth goddess Asaka was bursting with energy and life. Madhya Clinch and Lareina Allred provided a beautiful duality as the Gods of Love and Death, Erzulie and Papa Ge. At any moment, one could look over at them and see them engaged in the scene. The characters' rivalry was evident in their interactions, with Erzulie typically attempting to stop in and de-escalate the situation when Papa Ge was about to take things too far. Also of note was Ella Greer's emotional performance as Mama Euralie, expertly demanding focus and supporting the performances of fellow actors.

Onstage performances were boosted by the top-notch technical elements led by Maguire Crowe. From eye-catching puppets to growing branches and actual rain, the set (Maguire Crowe, Ella Greer, Lilly Hurtado) was bursting with details and gorgeous tableaus. However, the most striking visual element of the show had to be the costumes and makeup (Emma Mitchell, Elizabeth Hernandez Rivera, Leslie Espinoza Ramirez), which flowed seamlessly with Gabby Hoover and Kalindi Vyas's beautiful choreography. Color played a major role in creating the divide between the peasants and Grands Hommes, with the latter in shiny white clothes to indicate their higher class. The gods' costumes were bold and distinct, easily indicating to the audience which was which, and the bold and colorful makeup looks brought the visuals to another level.

Dominion High School's Once on This Island was visually striking and brought a distinct fairytale energy from beginning to end with its whimsical acting and ambitious technical elements. The story of one small girl's journey through love and death will surely not be soon forgotten.

Zoe Brennan
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Now

What would you be willing to do for love? Would you stare down the God of death for a shot at finding that special someone? Dominion High School's Production of Once on This Island tells the story of Ti Moune, a girl who did exactly that, and ended up facing the consequences.

The show follows Ti Moune through a series of events reminiscent of a fairy tale. A gorgeous stranger crashes his car on a road right outside of her village, and, instantly enamored with him, Ti Moune nurses him back to health. In doing so, she angers her parents, the rigid classists of the French Antilles, and even the Gods themselves.

Once on This island was written by Lynn Ahrens, composed by Stephen Flaherty, and was originally performed on Broadway in 1990 at the Booth Theater. Since then, it's been performed all over the world and won countless awards. It's difficult to do such a decorated show justice, but Dominion rose to the challenge, putting on a production filled to the brim with dynamic songs and evocative scenes.

Ti Moune was played by Katy Price, who delivered a performance that expertly explored Ti Moune's devotion to her family, religion, and eventually to Daniel. Her introduction in "Waiting for Life" was filled with all the enthusiasm and naivete that the character demanded. Chase Bochenek, who played Daniel, handled his character's inner struggle between love and tradition captivatingly, most clearly through his deliberations in "Some Girls."

The gods are some of Once on This Island's most important characters, and this fact is distinctly represented in Dominion's production as they never left the stage. Instead, the gods were seated on a terraced set for the entire show, constantly watching over every scene. Agwe, (Naomi Gorbach,) was constantly doing a subtle dance reminiscent of ocean waves and enthralled the audience with their haunting vocals during "Rain." Asaka (Lilly Hurtado) added an exuberant touch of comic relief during "Mama Will Provide," complementing Ti Moune's more childish attitude perfectly. Erzulie (Madhya Clinch) carried one of the show's more somber moments with her airy vocals in "The Human Heart," and Papa Ge (Lareina Allred) was portrayed with such unnerving cruelty that each sentence Allred uttered sent a chill down the audience's spines.

The technical aspects of Dominion's production were consistently impressive, but one element that stood out was the show's special effects. Conceptualized by Maguire Crowe, Lareina Allred, Ella Greer, and Lilly Hurtado, the performance boasted real onstage rainfall and a tree whose branches grew seemingly by themselves, which in tandem with the vibrance of the set (Lareina Allred, Maguire Crowe, Lilly Hurtado,) the realism of the lighting (Ethan Mengers, Avery Deaton, Cate Sanzano, Trisha Cherian) and the intricacy of the costumes (Emma Mitchell, Elizabeth Hernandez Rivera, Leslie Espinoza Ramirez,) made the auditorium, truly, feel like the "Jewel of the Antilles."

Our lives become the stories we weave. This message was echoed throughout every single sun-soaked scene in Dominion's performance of Once on This Island and is an adage as powerful as death…or, more aptly, as powerful as love.

Abby Camp
Robinson Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Loudoun Times-Mirror

Emerging from the audience, four godly figures take to the stage as the lights dim and a drum begins to pound. Audience members are swept away into the story of the dancers and the divine of the French Antilles archipelago, a lively Caribbean island. The vibrant and energetic numbers from Dominion High School's production of "Once on This Island" make it difficult to keep from getting up and dancing along.

"Once on This Island", a striking musical written by Lynn Ahrens, follows one small girl named Ti Moune. Spared by the gods in a vicious storm, Ti Moune is taken in and raised by two kind islanders. She learns of the social disparity on the island between the peasants, her people, and the grands hommes, the wealthy French descendants. However, when she falls into forbidden love with a grand homme herself, the audience follows her through her journey to answer one question: how far can one venture out for love before death conquers?

From the actors' ability to make the sounds of the island with their vocal technique to the technicians' ability to make trees grow and rain fall on stage, the cast and crew put on a dazzling show that left audiences mesmerized. The dedication and diligence that went into creating this cohesive and intricate design were clear and should be celebrated.

Captivating the audience and touching the hearts of many was Katy Price in the role of Ti Moune. Price brought a sweet demeanor while continuing to uphold her character's spunky nature, crafting a lovable and passionate portrayal. Madhya Clinch and Lareina Allred, playing Erzulie and Papa Ge respectively, executed their characters' conflicting motives with grace and confidence. The performance of one was enriched by the other's ability to react and respond fluidly, creating a harmonious duo.

The talent was not restricted to the leads but rather magnified by the ensemble. The audience roared as each ensemble-led song came to a close, as the dynamics and balance of their sound were bright and exhilarating. Additionally, dance numbers filled the room with energy and spirit and were aided by the amusing facial expressions of Ensemble members Gabby Hoover and Kalindi Vyas.

One must rave about the truly state-of-the-art technical elements of this show that blew audiences away. It is easy to take the pristine sound quality of a show for granted, but the clear and perfectly mixed audio created by Maggie Kraehenbuehl, the Sound Designer and Engineer, could not be ignored. Furthermore, putting a smile on audience members' faces was the plethora of detailed and eye-catching animal puppets crafted by Maguire Crowe (Prop Designer and Constructor as well as Creativity/Technical Director/Set Designer).

The enthusiasm and poise of all who worked on this production were enthralling. Erzulie must have been close to Dominion High School's production of "Once on This Island", as audiences could not help but fall in love!

Cami DiVenere
Freedom High School
Submitted for publication to Blue Ridge Leader

In the dim blue light, trees swayed, mountains stood, and gods walked. Shimmering fabrics flowed down the aisles as the ancient deities took their place onstage and the storytellers below recited the tale of the orphan girl Ti Moune. Dominion High School took viewers to the sandy shores of the Antilles for an unforgettable story with their lively production of Once on This Island!

What is more powerful: Love Or Death? Once on This Island is a tragic musical, with Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and Music by Stephen Flaherty, that followed the story of a young girl who attempted to break the societal structure of her home as onlooking Gods wagered on her undetermined fate.

Katy Price (Ti Moune) might have been "One Small Girl", but they were one big star on the stage! The ever-present desire for change inspired audiences especially during the free-spirited "Waiting for Life". Alongside their adoptive parents, Brice Sandidge (Ton Ton Julian) and Ella Greer (Mama Euralie), the push and pull between parent and child, tradition and the gods' plans, weighed heavily during the emotional "Ti Moune". When talking of Price, the high-class Chase Bochenek (Daniel) couldn't be excluded. Bochenek enticed the self-assured Price with pristine vocals that oozed high society. The couple melted hearts with their tender moments and later broke them with their contrasting identities that sold the tragedy of their romance.

Perched atop a looming mountain set, surveying and observing the mortals below, the group of temperamental gods ruled the island and rightfully earned unconditional praise from the audience! Lareina Allred (Papa Ge) commanded the cast with their dark and dominant aura proving that death is no demon to be messed with. Madhya Clinch (Erzulie) seemed to float with their light voice and ache for love, their gentle optimism paired beautifully with Allred's torment as their wills fought in "Promises/Forever Yours (Reprise)". Lilly Hurtado (Asaka) shook the earth with her striking performance of "Mama Will Provide" and stood as a grounded and humorous presence among the powerful group. With notes as deep as the sea, Naomi Gorbach (Agwe) used their flowy movements to portray the ocean god and made a big splash with their hit number "Rain" that showcased their mighty voice as rainwater doused the stage. There is only one word to describe this talented group: Divine!

With choreography by Kalindi Vyas and Gabby Hoover, the small ensemble's energetic rhythm filled the stage during "We Dance" and "Pray". Their pantomime abilities and asymmetrical movements made for dynamic stage pictures that paired perfectly with their mesmerizing chorus vocals and harmonies.

The lush island landscape lived and breathed onstage just as the actors did! Lareina Allred, Maguire Crowe, Lilly Hurtado designed the set, utilizing different levels that showcased the class structure of the island and gave the watchful Gods their own home in the sky. At the climactic end of the show, the set designers, along with Ella Greer, incorporated growing tree branches that stretched up to the heavens, eliciting gasps from onlookers and demonstrating their absolute mastery of special effects!

Inhabiting the tropical landscape was an assortment of playful puppets constructed by Maguire Crowe! Crowe's attention to detail and dedication to the craft made the larger-than-life birds and frogs leap alive as they sang and danced onstage during "Mama Will Provide"!

Complete with powerful performances and colorful technical aspects, Dominion High School took audiences' eye to another world with their production! Proving that with heart, perseverance, and divine intervention you can tell a story that does more than entertain, but also paves a new path for change.