Culver City Observer -

Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for the Tony Award-winning musical ONCE ON THIS ISLAND with Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Music by Stephen Flaherty on Saturday, March 16 from 10:00am to 1:00pm and Sunday, March 17 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90045. Callbacks will take place by appointment only on Monday, March 18 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm.

This is a non-equity, all-volunteer production directed by Cece Suazo and assistant director Elijah Green, produced by Alison Boole, Marty Feldman, Elijah Green, and Susan Weisbarth for Kentwood Players with rights secured from Music Theatre International.

Performance dates at the Westchester Playhouse are Friday, May 10 through Saturday, June 8, 2024, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Sundays at 2:00pm. Saturday matinees at 2:00pm will be added on May 18 and continue through the rest of the run. There may be some Wednesday matinee performances. There will be no performances over Memorial Day Weekend (May 24 – 26).

The Tony Award-winning musical ONCE ON THIS ISLAND tells the tale of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl who falls in love with a wealthy boy from the other side of the island. When their divided cultures keep them apart, Ti Moune is guided by the powerful island gods, Erzulie, Asaka, Papa Ge, and Agwe, on a remarkable quest to reunite with the man who has captured her heart. Bursting with Caribbean colors, rhythms and dance, the story transforms the reality of a tropical village devastated by a storm into a fantastical world alive with hope.

No appointments are necessary to audition; please arrive to allow time to sign-in and complete paperwork during scheduled audition times. Be prepared to sing 32 bars of a Disney or contemporary musical theater song. If bringing sheet music, please bring in the correct key. Singing a capella and/or singing Happy Birthday is also acceptable for younger roles. Please bring a current headshot and resume as well as your calendar as a rehearsal schedule will be posted and you will be asked to note any conflicts. For more information, please send an email to Island@kentwoodplayers.org.

Cast Breakdown:

Ti Moune: Lead. Female. 19-25. Ethnicity: POC

A spirited dark-skinned peasant girl who has been adopted. She is brimming with curiosity, earnestness, and energy. Falls tragically in love with Daniel. Strong singer; dance background a plus.

Little Girl / Little Ti Moune: Supporting. Female, 7-11. Ethnicity: POC

A frightened, as well as a spunky, young girl who enjoys running and playing around the island. Great acting skills, exceptional dancer or gymnast, beautiful singing voice and a dynamic stage presence. Note: There is no mature or emotionally difficult content in this musical. Child monitors will be provided; parents or guardians are encouraged at rehearsals and performances.

Daniel Beauxhomme: Lead. Male. 19-25. Ethnicity: POC

A pale-skinned member of the ruling class. Torn between his duty to his caste and his love for Ti Moune. Strong singer.

Agwe: Lead. Male. 22-55. Ethnicity: POC

The God of Water. He is strong, clever, and compassionate. Manipulates rain and the ocean to meet the needs of the island community - and stir up chaos when he sees fit.

Erzulie: Lead. Female. Ethnicity: POC

The Goddess of Love, beautiful and elegant with a strong belief in the power of love. She has a sympathetic heart and extends a lot of grace towards Ti Moune on her journey. Strong singer.

Papa Ge: Lead. Any gender. 30-55. Ethnicity: POC

The Demon of Death, the story's main antagonist. Determined to prove that death will prevail over love. Lithe, mysterious, and sinister. Strong singer. Dance background a plus.

Asaka: Lead. Gender Non-Conforming, Trans female. 25-55. Ethnicity: POC

The Mother of Earth. Nurturing and vivacious. Emboldens Ti Moune in her quest for true love. Strong belt.

Mama Euralie: Supporting. Female. 25-55. Ethnicity: POC

Ti Moune's adoptive mother. She loves her family fiercely, and is willing to do whatever is necessary to keep them safe. Strong singer.

Tonton Julian: Supporting. Male. 25-55. Ethnicity: POC

Ti Moune's adoptive father. Content with the life he has created alongside his family, even as he accepts that Ti Moune must go beyond their village to find herself. Strong singer.

Andrea Deveraux: Supporting. Female. 19-25. Ethnicity: POC

Daniel's betrothed. A light-skinned member of the ruling class who belittles and ostracizes Ti Moune in order to win Daniel's heart and secure her future. Strong singer.

Armand Beauxhomme: Supporting. Male. 25-55. Ethnicity: POC

Daniel's light-skinned stern upper-class father. Sympathetic to his son's divided loyalties, but ultimately adamant that he stick to his own caste to protect the family's wealth. Doubles as Armand and the Gatekeeper. Strong singer.

Ensemble/Storytellers: Any gender. 25-55. Ethnicity: POC

Various members of Ti Moune's island community. They are a crucial part of bringing color, life, and weight to the story. Strong singers. Strong dance, gymnastics background a plus. Strong instrumentalists also encouraged to apply.

Metro Train riders can take the K Line to Kentwood, exiting at the Westchester/Veterans station at Florence and Hindry, just a short one block walk from the Westchester Playhouse. Riders who show their Metro TAP card when purchasing a full price ticket at the box office will receive a $5 discount for that performance.

For drivers, there are two free parking lots available. The small lot next to the Westchester Playhouse is reserved for disabled patrons only. The Hensel Phelps parking lot at 8330 Hindry Avenue (across the street, next to the Metro train tracks) opens an hour before each performance, is locked when a performance begins, and reopens at the end of the show. Look for our parking lot greeter to welcome you. Free street parking is available on 83rd Street and in the adjoining neighborhood, but do not park on Hindry between the Playhouse and Metrolink tracks. Please read all traffic and parking signs carefully.

For more information about Kentwood Players including our current production, upcoming auditions, and shows, please visit the Kentwood Players website at http://www.kentwoodplayers.org. You can also find Kentwood Players information on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Another way to learn more about Kentwood Players and our members is to attend in-person Kentwood Players membership meetings, which are free to the public and held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles 90045. Come on down and find out more about our 74-years-old and going strong community theater group and how you can get involved as one of our volunteers!

Kentwood Players is a non-profit theatre group dedicated to enriching, educating, and entertaining our community through the transformative power of live theatre while creating an environment for inspiring human potential. As a 501C3 organization, donations to Kentwood Players in any amount are always greatly appreciated and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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