VISTA –
When Carol Jones and her teaching partner, Liz Nettles, were brainstorming ideas for this year's spring musical, they knew they wanted to stage something that was not as well-known as their previous productions.
In the past, Vista High School's musical theater class has put on shows such as “Bye Bye Birdie” and “The Music Man.”
The teachers chose “Once on This Island” by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, a musical that has many parallels to Hans Christian Andersen's “The Little Mermaid.”
“It's not another scene, song and dance production,” Jones said.
“It's a jewel of a play, a wonderful ensemble piece. Everybody is important. Everybody is at the same level as far as what is demanded of them.”
Set in the French Antilles, “Once on This Island” is the story of a peasant girl, Ti Moune, who saves the life of Daniel, an upper-class boy who is in a car crash. The two fall in love, but their romance is rived by class and race differences. Daniel's elders want him to wed Andrea, the daughter of a family friend.
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“Once on This Island”
When: April 17-19 and April 24-26
Where: Vista High School theater, 1 Panther Way, Vista
Tickets: $8 to $12
Information: (760) 726-5611
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Jones and Nettles have double-cast most roles in the production. Senior Katie Johnson said she had to put a lot of work into playing Andrea, who ends up marrying Daniel.
“She is really mean and full of herself, very different than me,” Katie said.
The lead role of Ti Moune posed other challenges for senior Rebecca Iven.
“It's cool,” Rebecca said. “It's a different show, very fantastical, very beautiful. But the songs are difficult. The vocal range is very wide. We are working really hard at this.”
Rebecca credited Jones and Nettles with helping her grow as an actor.
“I used to be really shy,” she said. “They have brought me out of my shell. They are just amazing, the best teachers.”
Tyle Lemire, a sophomore, plays Tonton, Ti Moune's dad. He said being part of the production was a valuable lesson in teamwork.
“I have met a lot of new people in the school I may not have known otherwise,” he said. “If we don't work well together, the whole thing falls apart.”
Working behind the scenes to lend their support are members of Panther Partners. The booster group supports Vista High School productions by raising money for pianists, costumes and other expenses.
Cindy Bjerke continues to be a booster even though her two children have graduated from the school.
“I have been here forever,” Bjerke said as she sat on the floor of the theater watching a rehearsal.
Michelle Park, whose daughter plays the other Ti Moune, is an aerobics instructor who has stepped forward to choreograph the musical's high-energy dances.
“It's a challenge, but it's also a real charge,” Park said. “The teachers make it so much fun. My daughter has just loved it.”
Triveni Sheshadri: (760) 752-6757;
triveni.sheshadri@tlnews.net
