Once On This Island (NYC) NYC Reviews and Tickets
Show-Score Member Reviews (1,389)
See it if want joy and sunshine in your life.
Don't see it if you want a predictable ending.
See it if you have a heart. This is the perfect staging of an incredible musical. A totally immersive and beautiful experience. Tears of sorrow/joy.
Don't see it if There is no reason not to see this show. It's perfect.
See it if you love musicals that never stop entertaining; you enjoy marvelous dance numbers
Don't see it if you have difficulty understanding Caribbean Island accents
See it if you want to see a revival that is so much better than the original production (which wasn't bad at all). Great cast! Great staging!
Don't see it if you do not want to be entertained or moved. This is probably the best show on Broadway!
See it if you love a non-traditional musical experience the set is magical the actors great the story enchanting
Don't see it if don't like fairy tales, non-traditional musicals
See it if Love amazing singing, dancing and an incredible set
Don't see it if Don't like to feel truly engaged
See it if I was absolutely blown the fuck away. The staging, vocals, and all around performances left me speechless.
Don't see it if you don't like musicals
See it if If you are a fan of phenomenal singing, inventive staging, and masterful performances this is a must see!
Don't see it if If you are not a fan of the original and/or fairy tales.
Critic Reviews (60)
“With just one step, you’re immediately immersed in the authenticity of this magical, mystical Caribbean island...It’ll be an experience you’ll never forget...The beloved score is clearly a highlight of the experience...The key to any successful revival is in its ability to present the material afresh...Without fail, incomparable Arden undeniably succeeds in this endeavor...In terms of the performers themselves, well, you know you can’t get any better than this trusty group.”
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“Lush and musically intoxicating…Once I found myself comfortably there, I could breathe in the humid warm air of the Caribbean, and even though those first moments are less than engaging, the first number…grabs hold of our hearts and souls quickly and we are transported...As it proceeds, the story of Ti Moune and her saved young man deepen beyond just young love, expanding into mythology and the meaning of forgiveness and love that lasts beyond a lifetime.”
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"The captivating aura that cast a magical spell fueling the imagination of a little girl as she listens to the folklore of the island is replaced by a big Broadway spectacle that is plagued with excess and self-indulgence...At times the story is lost. Obscured by overwrought staging and a superfluous set...Vocally the cast is a powerhouse but over amplified...Even with all its distraction and pitfalls, for those who have never visited this island before, it will be a marvelous vacation.”
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"With a terrifically appealing cast, as well as a rhythmic score, infectious choreography, vibrantly colorful design, and clever stagecraft, the musical itself could well serve to soothe audience members reeling from the year’s many disasters...One might question some aspects of this 1990 musical...But any such quibbles are swept away like the detritus in a hurricane thanks to the delights large and small in the production."
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“In addition to Laffrey’s eye-popping set of repurposed materials, costume design by Ramos and lighting design by Fisher and Eisenhauer create an island kaleidoscope that magically transforms...Arden deftly navigates the cast through the ever-changing landscape...Kilgore is a knockout...Fortunately, Kilgore is surrounded by immense talent, many of whom have their own shining moments...I have a feeling that repeated visits to this island are in order.”
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“Sparklingly enjoyable revival…A kinetic,…90-minute production with a ‘devised-theatre’ feeling…Regardless of the questions its plot raises, the show bursts with ebullient songs, musically underscored dialogue, colorful choreography, shadow pantomime, gorgeous costumes, and awesome lighting, not to mention exceptional performances…The gifted, beautiful Lea Salonga…, especially in her white gown and exquisite headdress, looks the virtual embodiment of love, reminding us of why she's a star.”
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"Good as it was then, it’s exponentially better now that director Michael Arden has revived the tuner...When Ahrens and Flaherty tell the story this time, their vivaciously enchanting songs become that much more valuable. As the numbers spring into the air they reinforce a troubled people’s indomitable spirit. Also, Camille A. Brown’s spirited choreography becomes that much more uplifting...Transcendent and shockingly relevant-to-today."
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"Dandridge and Kilgore belong more to the caterwauling school of Broadway braying that current audiences often lavish with ovations. Playing the demon of death, Dandridge is expected to make some loud, questionable sounds. Kilgore’s abrasive tone is much less acceptable, as are her facial grimaces...'Once on This Island' captures Ahrens and Flaherty at their most intimate and therefore their most effective."
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