Steadstyle Chicago
	May 2009 Theatre Review by Alan Bresloff
	Once on this Island Try to imagine "The Little Mermaid" mixed with the novel "My Love, My Love" by Rosa Guy and you will get "Once on This Island," a musical love story by author and lyricist Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty now being produced by The Porchlight Musical Theatre at The Theatre Building.  The story is about a poor peasant girl who falls in love with an upper-class gentleman, not believing that he would reject her because of "class".  The Island Gods, Love, Earth, Water and Death take them on journeys to test their love by manipulating them into situations where the outcome will not be favorable to them.  The play is 90 minutes, no intermission and is filled with music, under the direction of Eugene Dizon, who can with three other musicians (Vanessa Jayne, Renee Serritella and Matthew Sitz) sound like a full orchestra.  Bravo, Eugene! Porchlight is just about to enter its 15th season and this company has truly matured, getting stronger each year in selection of plays, casting, a wonderful set by Ian Zywica and in putting together memorable theater for Chicago audiences.  "Once on This Island" is directed by Mark E. Lococo with Choreography by Brenda Didier.  These talented people have put together a very solid cast to make this little musical, which is almost an operetta and mostly sung, a theatrical experience.  The ensemble is onstage almost the entire production, some taking on a multitude of roles and the story they tell is one of beauty and lasting lessons to those who witness it.  The musical style of this story telling is Calypso-flavored, but not as broad as one might expect.  There are some wonderful love stories in song as well. TiMoune, our heroine is played as a youngster by Austin Moore who is as cute as a button and filled with energy.  The older TiMoune is skillfully handled by Melanie Brezill, who also has great energy and a very expressive face.  Her "true, but unreachable love" Daniel is played by Sean Walton, who over the last few years has become a solid actor/singer who can dance, a triple-threat man.  Walton also plays his own son and a storyteller.  The entire cast, with the exception of our two leading ladies, are story-tellers, slipping into and out of their main characters with great ease and never losing the visual for the audience. Jayson Brooks, Jastine Dumlao, Renardo Johnson, Caitlainne Rose Gurreri, Krystal Metcalfe, Gerald Richardson, Glenn Stanton, Bethany Thomas (always a show stopping number or two for this dynamic performer) and Luis Herrera, who handles the powerful role of Papa Ge with remarkable agility and style.  This cast appears to enjoy being in this show as much as the audience enjoys watching them perform.  What a feeling that is for all concerned. This magical fairy tale will run through June 28, 2009 at the Theatre Building located at 1225 West Belmont Ave.  Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:45 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.  There is a special matinee at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 18 and at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 21.  This is a limited schedule so I would rush to order my tickets now by calling 773-327-5252 or stop by the Theatre Building box office or visit www.TicketMaster.com.  Tickets are only $37, with discounts for seniors and students.  A great value for theater this good!  Learn more about the 15th Anniversary season by visiting www.porchlighttheatre.com.   About Alan Bresloff Alan Bresloff, once an actor himself, has been covering the Chicago Theater Scene since 1993, first as the Theater and Arts critic for LaRaza newspaper, then with Salsachicago.com and then onto Extra Newspaper and The Epoch Times.  He also writes for ElImparcial and TeleGuia.  His reviews can also be seen on www.theatreinchicago.com.  Alan does not call himself a "critic" but a "reviewer" as he tries to educate the reader about theater itself, what is a good value, what to look for in a play or musical and more.  "Exposure to theater is a very important part of a young person's life" he says. "Learning about the arts and culture is in fact learning about life" and he tries to explain more in his reviews than just if it is good or bad.  Even some of the poor productions have some value, he often says and he would love your feedback on shows that you have seen.  You can write him here or at albresloff@sbcglobal.net.