Congratulations to GTG Youth Theatre's Once on This Island

Over sixty local youth were involved in the Geneva Theatre Guild Youth Theatre production of Once on This Island during the summer of 2005. (Photos from the production). Once on This Island is a highly original and theatrical Caribbean musical that sings and dances the story of Ti Moune, the peasant girl who rescues, nurses and falls in love with Daniel, a prince from a wealthy family. When Daniel is returned to his people, the gods who rule the island guide Ti Moune on a quest to test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred and death. Its catchy, contemporary, and Caribbean-flavored score by the Tony® Award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, Seussical, and the animated film Anastasia) includes tender ballads and rousing dance numbers.

Featured in the cast were Bridget Saracino as Ti Moune, Chris Boyd as Daniel, Maren Reisch as Erzulie (Goddess of Love), Trevor Burrall as Agwe (God of Water), and Adam Fryer as Papa Ge (Demon of Death). Ronnie Colon played Ti Moune’s father Tonton Julian; and her mother, Mama Euralie, was played by Erinne Carney and Hillary Rich was Asaka (Mother of Earth). The four storytellers were Hannah Schoonover, Geena Ravashiere, Connor Lapresi, and Alexandria Shultz. Rounding out the principals were Kayla Boyd as Andrea, Josh Beniamino as Daniel's Father, Daniel Shultz as Daniel's Son, Kennedy Moore as Little Ti Moune and Lucas Reisch as Gatekeeper.

The cast was completed by the children portraying the island’s rival factions. Portraying the Grandhommes were Brandon Applegate, Elizabeth Barner, Gloria Bizardi, Karin Boesen, Rachel Bulger, Zach Carey, Temara Carter, Allison Castle, Darrell Chasse, Jessicena Marie Corcoran, Alyssa Durette, Carmella Gentile-Rondon, Aaron MacWilliams, Abigail Milliman, Ashley Morlang, Tyana Pierre, David Principio, Mary Principio, Eavan Schmitt, Elizabeth Smith and Annie Wilsey. The Peasants were played by: Nicole Abraham, Katrina Amberg, Elyssa Belding, Ashley Bernier, Shelby Bradley, Allison Chapin, Kiley Conklin, Alex Cragg, Thalia Cruz, Sara Duchesne, Spencer Edwards, Juliet Garcia, Kaijah Henderson, Soo Jeong, Joselyn Johnson, Abby Lindberg, Katharine McCorkle, Jamie Newland, Aleta Reale, Mary Salotti, Jordan Singleton, Cassie Snyder, Liza Taney, and Lauren Wilsey.

Once on This Island was directed by award-winning local director Pam Rapoza with musical direction by Chris Sauter.  Performances of Once on This Island were at The Smith Opera House in Geneva on July 28 and 29, 2005. Once on This Island was produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Youth Theatre Wins TANYS Awards

GTG is pleased to announce that the GTG Youth Theatre production of Once on This Island was awarded a total of six Merit Awards by the Theatre Association of New York State. TANYS Roving Adjudicator Sherman Ward said, "The young people responded to their director wholeheartedly and the resultant production was a success viewed at any level, and it was unreserved pleasure for me to experience it." (List of TANYS Awards received by GTG productions)

• Meritorious Achievement to Ensemble to both the cast and staff for a well rounded production
• Costume Design to Angela Crisanti for color, variety and identification.
• Special Acting to Bridget Saracino for her portrayal of Ti Moune
• Special Acting to Kennedy Moore for her portrayal of Little Ti Moune
• Special Acting to Trevor Burral for his portrayal of Agwe (God of Water)
• Excellence Award to Director Pam Rapoza for executing an exciting production consisting of all the facets of a musical (singing, choreography, acting and technical aspects) into a cohesive whole, working with these young people to a point beyond a reasonable expected level.