Still More Theater Saturday - Once on This Island

We were given complimentary tickets to Once on This Island for review purposes. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

What: Once on This Island

Where: Arden  Theatre

             40 N. 2nd St.

             Philadelphia, PA

Who: Recommended for Ages 10 and Up

When: Through June 23. 2024

Once on This is Island is a coming-of-age folk tale about an Island peasant girl who falls in love with a rich boy. The story is basically a retelling of Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid. It originally ran on Broadway in 1990 and then again in 2017. The show is full of colorful characters and lively songs. Standout songs on the Aarons and Flaherty composed soundtrack include Mama Will Provide and Waiting for Life to Begin. 

The current production of the show at Arden Theatre in Philadelphia is filled with exuberance. The show is staged in such a way that the performances literally overflow the stage and really draw the audience into the proceedings. Despite this, the show is not all happiness and light, due to its bittersweet plot which includes elements of unrequited love, class struggles, and sacrifice.  Thus, if you want a show with a Disney-like fairytale happy ending this show is probably not what you are looking for, but if you are interested in a show that takes you on more of an emotional journey, you will may enjoy it. 

And that's our view. For more about Once on This Island or to purchase, tickets, visit ardentheatre.org/production/once-on-this-island

For more about Once on This Island or to purchase tickets,  

Tune in tomorrow for this week's Sunday Scoop.

Photo credits:

All Once on This Island production photos by Ashley Smith

Images used in this post have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used by permission. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us here, and we will look into the matter.