Harada, Leung, Llana, Johnson Set for Once On This Island Concert

By Andrew Gans
16 Apr 2010

Telly Leung
Telly Leung
Photo by Chris Macke

A host of Asian-American Broadway singing actors will join forces for a concert version of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Once On This Island May 16 at the York Theatre.

The 7:30 PM event, which will celebrate Asian Heritage Month, will be directed by original cast member Gerry McIntyre with musical direction by Randy Redd.

The cast will boast Ann Harada (Asaka), Jose Llana (Papa Ge), Yuka Takara (Ti Moune), Telly Leung (Daniel), Christine Toy Johnson (Erzulie), Paolo Montallban (Agwe), Jason Ma (Ton Ton Julian), Hazel Ann Raymundo (Mama Euralie), Deborah Lew (Andrea), Alan Ariano (Armand) and Kylie Liya Goldstein (Little Ti Moune).

The musical features book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty, the creators of Ragtime, Dessa Rose, A Man of No Importance and Seussical, among others.

The original 1991 Broadway production of Once on This Island received nine Tony Award nominations, including one for Best Musical. The show tells the story of the orphaned Ti Moune and features such tunes as "Waiting for Life," "The Human Heart" and "Mama Will Provide." Graciela Daniele choreographed and directed the Broadway mounting, which featured LaChanze as Ti Moune.

For reservations call Pearl Brady at (212) 869-8543 or email eeo@actorsequity.org. The York Theatre is located at the Theatre at St. Peters, 619 Lexington Avenue in New York City.

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This concert is made possible in part with public funds from the Manhattan Community Arts Fund supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, and is being presented in conjunction with the Equal Employment Opportunity Committee of Actors' Equity Association.