A SECOND CENTURY OF THEATRE BEGINS AT LE PETIT THEATRE DU VIEUX CARRE
Tony-Award Nominated Musical, Once On This Island, opens the 2017-18 Season.

NEW ORLEANS, LA (August 29, 2017) -
New Orleans most historic playhouse, Le Petit Theatre, begins a second century of live theatre with
the vibrant Afro-Caribbean musical, Once On This Island.

On the night of a great storm, the villagers tell a young girl the story of Ti Moune: a peasant girl who
is impacted by four Gods when they place a wager on which is more powerful: love or death? One
fateful evening, Ti Moune meets Daniel Beauxhomme, a wealthy young man from the other side of
the island and they fall in love. The gods are a reminder that love is not easy, especially when class
separates their worlds. Combining story elements from beloved classics like Romeo and Juliet and
The Little Mermaid, Once On This Island is a joyous musical fable appropriate for all ages.

The New York Times says of this Broadway hit: "In Once on This Island, the stage has found its own
sugar-and-cartoon-free answer to The Little Mermaid. A 90-minute Caribbean fairy tale told in
rousing song and dance, this show is a joyous marriage of the slick and the folkloric, of the hardnosed
sophistication of Broadway musical theater and the indigenous culture of a tropical isle."

Once On This Island will mark Artistic Director Maxwell Williams' first musical production since
taking helm at Le Petit in 2015; his previous directing credits include Our Town, The Glass
Menagerie, Freud's Last Session, and Dividing the Estate.

Shangobunmi Durotimi returns to Le Petit after performing in Jelly's Last Jam; she plays the
central character, Ti Moune. Jelly's Last Jam alums Robert Diago D'oqui (Tonton Julian), Idella
Johnson (Mama Erulie), Kebron Woodfin (Agwe), Ebony Johnson and Lloyd Meekins(Stoytellers) join the cast. Pippin alum Jessica Mixon joins the cast as Asaka, with her sister, Whitney Mixon (Merrily We Roll Along) joining as a Storyteller. Luke Halpern (Daniel Beauxhomme), Taylor E. James (Erzulie), Bryan Demond Williams (Papa Ge), and Kathleen Moore (Andrea/Madam Armaud), Paris Robertson (Little Ti Moune) make their debuts at the
theatre. Troy Poplous, acclaimed New Orleans performer, completes the cast as Armand.

Le Petit Theatre's production features Costume Design by Julie Winn (Jelly's Last Jam, Pippin),
Scenic Design by Jean Kim, Lighting Design by Andrew Griffin (Jelly's Last Jam), and Sound
Design by Jason Doyle (Pippin).

Featuring book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty (the dynamic Tony-award
winning duo behind Ragtime, Seussical, and Anastasia), Once On This Island won the 1995 Olivier
Award for Best New Musical and received 9 Tony nominations, including Best New Musical and
Best Original Score. This musical is an adaptation of the novel My Love, My Love: Or, The Peasant Girl
by Rosa Guy.

WHEN: September 15 - October 1, 2017.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 PM. Sunday matinees at 3:00 PM.
Industry night Wednesday, September 20 at 7:30 PM.

TICKETS: $35-50 Adult | $15 Students. Discounted industry night: $25 (including fees).

WHERE: LE PETIT THEATRE - 616 St. Peter St. New Orleans LA 70116 | 504.522.2081

BOX OFFICE: 504.522.2081 or lepetittheatre.com

CONTACT:
For inquiries contact Ashley Robison: 504.522.2081 x6; arobison@lepetittheatre.com

Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré is now in its 101st Anniversary Season! Located in the historic
French Quarter of New Orleans, Le Petit Theatre, a 501(c)3 organization, is passionately dedicated
to presenting the highest quality theatrical performances to entertain and educate the diverse
population of the region, and enhance the economic vitality of the greater New Orleans area.
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CONTACT:
Ashley Robison: 504.522.2081 x6; arobison@lepetittheatre.com