Theater Students To Stage ‘Once Upon An Island, Junior’

RIDGEFIELD — The Ridgefield Theater Barn will once again present a series of performances by the members of the Young Performers Musical Theater Workshop beginning October 20 with this year’s production of the musical Once Upon An Island, Junior by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. Directed by Missy Slaymaker-Hanlon and musical director Stefano Pena, the performances are the culmination of skills learned in this fall’s program supervised by Ms Slaymaker-Hanlon and her staff of theater professionals.

Cast members include Garrett Amil, Chad Ballard, Duncan Barille, Max Beaumont, Paulette Bouissou, Elena Cabot, Martha Cabot, Trevor Carr, Erin Ceconi, Lindsay Clouse, Julia DiLauro, Madeline Droher, Jennifer Duffy, Connor Duncan, Nubia Flores, Emma Glubiack, Katie Gruendel, Max Hastings, Cara Lawlor, Jack Lawlor, John Lionetti, Joseph Lordi, Claire MacIntyre, Kris McCormick, Josh Pastore, Meredith Perettine, Jordan Roth, Allie Short, Alison Sicinski, Taylor Star, Sophia Stoop, and Ryan Wenke.

The plot of Island concerns Ti Moune, a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a young man from a wealthy family. When Daniel returns to his people, the gods who rule the island test Ti Moune’s love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred and death.

The production features colorful sets and costumes designed to capture the imagination of the audience. Creative dance and movement-driven staging is also part of the show’s style, calling upon performers to portray trees, wild animals and even a fierce rainstorm.

With its touching story and catchy pop- and Caribbean-flavored score by the writers of Lucky Stiff, Anastasia and the Broadway smash Ragtime, Once On This Island, Junior is a multi-cultural feast for the heart, mind and soul.

There will be six performances at The Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin Lane: Saturday, October 20, 7:30 pm; Sunday, October 21 at 2:30 pm; Friday, October 26, 7:30 pm; Saturday, October 27, at 2:30 and 7:30 pm; and Sunday, October 28, at 2:30 pm. Tickets $10 are available online at TheaterBarn.org.