FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17 • DOORS 7PM • SHOWTIME 8PM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18 • DOORS 7PM • SHOWTIME 8PM
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19 • DOORS 2PM • SHOWTIME 3PM
Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre • Basie Center Campus • 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank

From the Tony Award-winning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Seussical, Ragtime), comes the Olivier Award-winning Once on This Island. This highly original and theatrical Caribbean adaptation of the popular fairy tale, The Little Mermaid, garnered eight Tony nominations for its Broadway run, including Best Musical, Book and Score.

Ti Moune, a peasant girl, rescues a wealthy boy from the other side of the island, Daniel, with whom she falls in love. Unbeknownst to Ti Moune, the pompous gods who preside over the island make a bet with one another over which is stronger, love or death, the stakes being Ti Moune’s life. When she pursues Daniel, who has returned to his people, Ti Moune is shunned because of her lowly status. Her determination and capacity to love, though, is not enough to win Daniel’s heart, and Ti Moune pays the ultimate price; but the gods turn Ti Moune into a tree that grows so strong and so tall, it breaks the wall that separates the societies and ultimately unites them.

From the onset, Phoenix Productions has been clear in its intentions to accurately portray this production’s themes of colorism and racism. This commitment included outreach to communities and actors of color which the company and the Count Basie Center for the Arts recognizes may have not previously felt welcome into the world of community theatre. Once On This Island was selected for the opportunity it provided our organizations to strengthen our commitments to locate and encourage performers of all ages, ethnicities, cultural heritages / backgrounds, body types, and gender expressions.

Presented by Phoenix Productions

Please note: The Count Basie Center for the Arts no longer requires proof of vaccination for entry at its historic theater, The Vogel or Basie Center Cinemas.

The Count Basie Center reserves the right to amend this policy as necessary, including at the request of certain artists or touring productions.

Masks are not required, though we strongly encourage their use and respect all patrons who choose to continue doing so.