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ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019, www.MTIShows.com A Musical Book and Lyrics By . Music BySTEPHEN FLAHERTY. Based Upon the Novel “My Love, My Love” By

Sound effects and strobe lights are used during this performance. Please be advised Director’s Note

I could go on for pages and pages as to why Once On This Island is so deeply connected to my soul. However, as detailed and intricate as this story is, the overall message is quite simple; love will always win!

Our world is a very chaotic one full of prejudice, bigotry, and hate. The story of Ti Moune reminds us that we are not a product of our society, of our upbringing, of our social class, or any other classification that keeps us from the simple truth thatwe are indeed all human! And as humans, we have the privilege of being born with the ability to choose to love; allowing us to be free of hate.

In the society we live in today, our ideas and views of the world will continually be challenged; we will be told we are wrong, told we are not good enough, told we are inferior human beings. This will happen. There is no changing that. What CAN change is YOUR decision to take those “negative” realities of our everyday lives and use them toward creating positive energy in the world. Hate begets hate; love begets love. It’s really that simple.

I hope you leave this performance with a sense of hope and optimism for our world!! Your life will undoubtedly change for the better as soon as you let love guide your way. Trust me-- I’m living proof! J The Cast

Little Girl/ Little Ti Moune...... Ysabella Giulietta L. Meduri Mama Euralie...... Susan Needles Tonton Julian...... Keith White Ti Moune/Peasant Girl...... Ashley Perez Flanagen Daniel Beauxhomme/Beauxhomme/Daniel’s Son...... Vincenzo Meduri Armand/Gatekeeper/Daniel’s Father...... Tim Martin Andrea/Madame Armand...... Chloe Leatherwood Papa Ge...... Gavin Leatherwood Asaka...... Sarahjane Fischel Agwe...... Donovan Cassell Erzulie/Peasant Girl...... Jill Vandereof

Artistic Team Director...... Vincenzo Meduri Choreographer...... Jeci Smith Music Director...... Ashlee Brouillette Sound Designer/TD...... Doug Hoffman Lighting Designer...... J.D. Sadifer Scenic Designer...... Lisa Livingston Costume Designer...... Sara Ludeman Stage Manager...... Alex Kimmel

Orchestra Adam Bates (Synth) Ryan Chapman (percussion) Ashlee Brouliette (piano) Jazelle Green-Younger (reeds) Andrew Jepson (bass)

Tech Crew Alex Tanguy, Sabrina Schmit (Light Ops) Shane Zuiderweg, Mark Parrish (Sound Ops) Musical Numbers

ACT I Prologue/We Dance...... Storytellers One Small Girl...... Asaka, Erzulie, Papa Ge, Tonton, Mama, Storytellers Waiting For Life...... Ti Moune, Storytellers And The Gods Heard Her Prayer...... Asaka, Agwe, Erzulie, Papa Ge, Storytellers Rain...... Asaka, Agwe, Erzulie, Papa Ge, Storytellers Discovering Daniel...... Storytellers, Ti Moune Pray...... Ti Moune, Tonton, Mama, Gatekeeper, Peasant Forever Yours...... Ti Moune, Daniel, Papa Ge, Storytellers The Sad Tale of the Beauxhomme...... Armand, Madame Armand, Peasant Girl, Beauxhomme, Storytellers Ti Moune...... Mama, Tonton, Ti Moune

Intermission (10 min)

ACT II Mama Will Provide...... Asaka, Storytellers Waiting For Life – Reprise...... Ti Moune Some Say...... Story Tellers, Little Girl The Human Heart...... Erzulie, Storytellers Pray – Reprise...... Gossipers, Father Some Girls...... Daniel The Ball...... Storytellers, Andrea, Daniel Ti Moune’s Dance...... Mama, Tonton, Little Ti Moune Andrea Sequence...... Andrea, Ti Moune Promises/ Forever Yours – Reprise...... Papa Ge, Ti Moune, Erzulie, Storytellers Wedding Sequence...... Storytellers, Asaka A Part Of Us...... Mama, Little Ti Moune, Tonton, Storytellers Why We Tell The story...... Photos

Ysabella Susan Keith Meduri Needles White

Ashley Vincenzo Tim Perez Flanagan Meduri Martin

Chloe Gavin Sarahjane Leatherwood Leatherwood Fischel

Donovan Jill Cassell Vanderoef Who’s Who The Cast

Ysabella Meduri (Little Ti Moune) Ashley Perez Flanagan (Ti Moune) Bella is excited to make her professional Ashley is excited to be a part of debut with Enlightened Theatrics! Her Enlightened Theatrics first production! whole life has been filled with music She started off as one small girl with & musicals. Having the opportunity to the courage of a dreamer and the follow her Uncle Vinnie around the world innocence of youth living and performing to pursue his dream has in Northport, NY. She currently resides been a true inspiration to her. When this and works in the NYC as a member of 11 year old is not at rehearsal she loves AEA. Favorite credits include: Prometheus playing soccer, dancing & being with her Bound(A.R.T.), Beauty(Regina Spektor horses. A special thanks to her little sister, project), Bull Durham(Lincoln Center), Mimi for being the best understudy ever! Sound of Music(Engeman Theatre) and Flashdance(NY) . She received Susan Needles (Mama Euralie) a BFA in Music Theatre from Elon Susan is very excited to make her University.”Thanks to my amazing family professional debut with Enlightened and friends for their constant love and Theatrics! She has been seen on stage support! They are why I tell the story.” in community theater productions of Nunsense, Nunsense 2, Guys and Dolls, Vincenzo Meduri (Director/Daniel) the Musical and Once Upon a A Salem native, Vincenzo graduated Mattress. When not rehearsing, she works from Sprague High School in 2007 and for the Salem Clinic and keeps busy with continued his education at Elon University her family and her posse, the ladies of in North Carolina where he earned a funpeopleforhire.com ( this is not really a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre website so don’t go there!) Susan would in 2011. Upon graduation, Vincenzo like to thank her husband Ed and son’s pursued his dream by moving to New Sean and Shane for their support and York City. During his time in New York, love. Vincenzo discovered a love for directing and teaching, which is what inspired him Keith White (Tonton Julian) to bring his expertise to Salem to touch As a high school/college student, Keith the lives of students, professional actors performed in , Guys and and dreamers like himself. Because of his Dolls, and several talent/variety shows. In passion for theatrical arts, Vincenzo has 1981, he joined the Air Force and spent developed Enlightened Theatrics to give the next 20 years defending his country back to the community that has given him in both the US and overseas in Panama, so much and to provide hope, education Saudi Arabia, Japan, Guam, and other and inspiration for generations to come. locations. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Human Development. In April 2013, he Tim Martin (Armand/Gatekeeper/Daniel’s Father) decided to pursue his original dream of Tim Martin, who is playing Armand in this acting. “Once On This Island” is not only production, is a 22 year old from Canton, his professional debut but the return to his NY tucked far north in the foothills of the first love, the stage, AFTER 35 YEARS! Adirondacks. Tim has been in various plays encompassing various roles including Jethro from Beverly Hillbillies, Captain Brice in Arcadia, Skeet Suitor in Let’s Meet for Launch, Stage Managing Who’s Who The Cast

for Grease, Meet Me In St.Louis, A : The Musical at Pentacle Midsummer Night’s Dream and more. Theatre. Born and raised in the Salem- Tim had moved to Portland, OR in March Keizer area, Sarahjane left home to attend of 2013 and has enjoyed his newfound Berklee College of Music in Boston with experiences. In his free time Tim enjoys a scholarship for R&B vocal performance playing guitar, watching movies and before moving back West to be closer to reading. family. When she isn’t performing, you can find her working at High Priestess or Chloe Leatherwood (Andrea/Madame Armand) spending time with her adorable niece Chloe is thrilled to be working with and nephews. She would like to dedicate Enlightened Theatrics! Some recent this performance to her incredibly loving professional credits include: , and supportive sister Amanda and mother All Shook Up, Stiletto Entertainment; Christie. Holland America cruise ships: Noordam and Oosterdam, ABC’s Good Christian Donavan Cassell (Agwe) Belles, ballroom dancer in Las Vegas Donovan is a Junior at the University of Scentsy event, and Tiger Lily/Jane in Peter Oregon, and has had a life full of music. Pan. Chloe grew up in Southern California After performing for several years at and recently came to Oregon where Central High she is now a Tualatin high school dance School, he has gone on to be in several team coach! She would like to thank her music groups including On The Rocks, amazing friends and family for their never UO’s premiere all-male a capella group, ending love and support! and the UO Chamber Choir. He spends most of his time singing, gaming, filming Gavin Leatherwood (Papa Ge) events, and programming as he works (Papa Ge) Gavin is very happy to be a part towards a degree in Computer Science. of an Enlightened Theatrics production! Donovan is absolutely ecstatic to be a part Gavin began his theatre career as a of Enlightened Theatrics’ first production, Lollipop Kid in The Wizard of Oz and and looks forward to future productions continued his professional theater career with the company. at the age of 7 in the Children’s Chorus of and then the role of “Bert” in All Jill Vanderoef (Erzulie) My Sons for McCoy Rigby Entertainment. Jill is thankful and super excited to be a Other theater credits include the role part of Enlightened Theatrics’ inaugural of John Darling in the national tour of production! She graduated from Elon Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby. He has University with a BFA in Music Theatre. also played Slightly Soiled in Peter Pan She recently moved to Oregon from and Pirate Bill Jukes in Peter Pan…all in Florida where she could be seen playing different productions around the country. with animals, dancing, and singing in Gavin graduated from Orange County several shows at Busch Gardens Tampa. High School of the Arts in California and Some other professional work favorites: recently moved to Oregon. Performer at Wild Waves, Seattle WA; Ariel in Footloose, and Potiphar’s Wife in Sarahjane Fischel (Asaka) Joseph... at Stephen Foster, Bardstown Sarahjane is excited to be a part of KY. Jill hails from the most amazing family Enlightened Theatrics first production. in the world and would like to thank them She was last seen as Enid Hoopes in for their constant love & support! Who’s Who Artistic Team

Jeci Smith (Choreographer) Jeci Smith has been dancing since the age of 3. She grew up dancing at the Studio of the Performing Arts. She received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA. Jeci has studied with names such as: Eddie Garcia, Swoop, Ryan Heffington, and Dante 7: all of whom have worked with touring pop artist. Jeci has also worked intensely with the Merce Cunningham Company Residency, Patricia Hon, Wade Madson, Deborah Wolf, Tonya Lockyer, SIFF, and has choreographed for bands such as: Irukandji, Katie Kate, and Hey Marseillas. Jeci is inspired and motivated by the intelligence and creativity of dance. She finds the drive of motion is her passion. She has developed choreographic techniques based on intellectual concepts through many styles in order to make her movement versatile, characterized and unlimited to any restraints that consume our everyday lives.

Ashlee Brouillette (Music Director) Ashlee Brouillette is a Collaborative Pianist studying Contemporary Music at Western Oregon University. She has studied with Dr. Diane Baxter, Paul Roberts, and Rhonda Ringering. During her time at Western she has enjoyed working in ensembles such as Chamber Singers and Orquestra Brasil. Her true passion is working with other artists as a collaborative pianist, whether it is working with a composer on a new work, accompanying solo artists, or playing in a large ensemble. Ashlee also loves being a mother and wife and lives with husband and daughter I’m the Willamette Valley.

J.D. Sandifer (Lighting Designer) J.D. is a professional lighting designer who has lived in the Portland, OR area for the last five years. Some past productions include The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Oregon Children’s Theatre), Continuum (Playwrights West & CoHo Productions), The American Pilot (Theatre Vertigo), 13 (Staged!), and Ablaze: an a cappella musical thriller (amateur premiere). When he’s not designing, J.D. is usually doing – or wishing he were doing – things like paintball, parkour, photography, and sailing. He holds a BFA in theatre from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Alex Kimmel (Stage Manager) Ms. Kimmel is a 4th year Theatre Major at Willamette University from Erie, Pennsylvania. Last summer, she worked at California Shakespeare Theater as a Stage Management Intern. She also worked as an electrician at ODS and SOMArts in San Francisco. Recently, she was awarded a Mellon Grant to create an aerial dance piece for the Salem community. She would l ike to thank Vincezo for creating this wonderful opportunity for herself and the Salem community.

Lisa Livingston (Scenic Designer) Lisa Livingston is excited to put out her first professional set design with Enlightened Theatrics. Lisa has just recently graduated from Willamette University as a Theatre Arts Major. Recent Salem credits include Assistant Technical Director for *Measure for Measure *and* Orlando* with WU Theatre, and Stage Manager for *The Secret Garden* with WU Dramatic and Vocal Arts. Lisa finds her artistic inspiration and dedication from within her faith, and wants to help redefine what it means to be a Christian Artist.

Doug Hoffman (Sound Designer/TD) Doug is a local event producer and drummer who plays in two bands... Mono Playing and a new, not yet unveiled, top secret project. He has a very supportive lady and a family of dogs and . Special Thanks

In no particular order we at Enlightened Theatrics and Vincenzo Meduri would like to thank: Mainstage Events, Allied Video Productions, Barbara Curtin- Statesman Journal, Angie Hayes- North Carolina Theatre Conference, Jake Espinoza- NW Legend, Michael Swanson- Bluecatz, Eric Kittleson and Carol Smith- The Historic Grand Theatre, Ann Peck McBride- KMUZ, Bob Buck- KBZY, Julie Pearl, Jessica Bobillot, Havana Salon, Oregon Arts Commission, Salem Art Association, Ron Conrad- Blue Rose Graphics, Salem Printing & Blueprint, Salem Chamber of Commerce, Salem Weekly, United Rental, Cascade Rental, Travel Salem, Willamette University Theatre (Chris Harris and Aaron Dukes, Umpqua Bank, The Oregonian, Salem Theatre Network, Portland Area Theatre Alliance, RACC, Terry Milner, Mike Moll, Clark Williams, Actor’s Equity Association, Crossland Economy Studios, Salem Young Pros, and to all the countless other people and organizations, mentors and friends, who have helped make this dream possible; we thank you!!

And a very, very special thank you must go out to my family. Each and every one of you has helped influence the person I am today and I am so lucky to be back home where I continue to learn and grow from our experiences together each day. Thank you for always allowing me to be my true self and for loving and supporting me unconditionally. We are the lucky ones. I love you!

Vincenzo Meduri Artistic Director and President