Colorful musical retells ‘Little Mermaid’ legend

Tom Titus

If you’ve never heard of the musical “Once on This Island,” don’t feel

alone. Neither have most people, including your columnist, who’s been

covering the theater scene for 36 years.

However, to Tim Nelson, musical director and instructor at Huntington

Beach’s Academy for the Performing Arts, it’s as familiar as “Oklahoma,”

“My Fair Lady” or “The Sound of Music.” Which makes him the logical

person to direct it as the upcoming Academy of Performing Arts

production, Oct. 19-28 in the Huntington Beach High School auditorium.

“It’s a Caribbean retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s ‘The Little

Mermaid,”’ explains Nelson, who saw the original New York production four

times. “The show is a colorful musical tale of love, loss, class

distinction, tolerance and redemption performed by a group of Caribbean

peasants as they wait out a violent storm.”

The story they tell, according to Nelson, is of a young peasant girl,

Ti Mourne, who leaves her village in search of her lover, sent on a

journey by the gods of her island to test the ultimate strength of her

love.

“It is the peasants’ version of what became of her, filtered through

their faith and their imaginations,” Nelson says.

“I saw the show on Broadway in 1991 when it was nominated for a Tony,”

Nelson recalls. “A friend told me of this new show that was so different

and emotional I really needed to see it. Well, I saw it, and was

mesmerized.”

Being through-sung and bringing the scene work all through music was

incredible and really amplified the emotions of every scene. The way the

cast worked together as an ensemble and the sound it was able to produce

was also incredible. I went back three more times to see it.

Nelson notes that the mysticism of the Caribbean really is what shines

through along the strong bonds of family, spiritualism and community. The

show had everything I love, not to mention a top-notch cast.

In the Huntington Beach production, Katherine McLaughlin will portray

young Ti Moune, with Kelly Nitkin and ‘D’ Pull cast as her mother and

father. Her lover, Daniel, will be enacted by Brandon Durringer, while

Ashley Luth and Jesse Gonzales are his parents.

Melissa Mitchell will play Ti Moune at a younger age. Others in the

show are Michelle DeHoop, Bekki Reichart, Brian Chapman and Jonathon

Hoover, all playing gods of the island.

The ensemble consists of Alex Bartosch, Matt Bartosch, Michelle

Corson, Samantha DeBritton, Rachel Pupa, Rachel Scott and Evonne Sturm.

Pit singers include Courtney Davis, Mel Distel, Alie Gibbons, Mindy

Patrick, Jenna Pinkham and Garland Sanburg.

“I have been with the seniors at the high school since their freshman

year, and have been training them in musical theater since then,” Nelson

says, adding with understandable pride, “This is the most talented group

cast we’ve had, and all are really spotlighted in the show.”

“Once on This Island” will be presented Oct. 19, 20 and 27 at 7:30

p.m. in the Huntington Beach High auditorium, with two matinee

performances at 2 p.m. Oct. 21 and 28. Tickets are $10 general admission

and $8 for seniors and students. Call (714) 536-2514, Ext. 302 for reservations and information.