Why you should watch 9Works Theatrical’s ‘Once on This Island’

As we’ve seen from previous 9Works Theatrical pieces, the set and costume design are sure to complement the heartwarming and touching scenes. With a cast ready to sing and dance all over the place, it’s safe to say that the set will be made to accommodate just that.

Mio Infante, the production’s scenographer promises a vibrant display of modern theatre without losing the charm of the musical’s original setting—which is the 1930s. “I was looking at post-impressionist paintings by Paul Gauguin. His last years were spent in Tahiti and, oh my God, the colours. I hope that the colours that I saw from his late-19th-century work are what we translate to audiences today,” shares Infante.

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Playing Daniel will be Jef Flores who once played Jon in Tick, Tick… Boom! last year. He is alternated by Sam Concepcion who’s currently balancing this musical with One More Chance, where he plays Popoy.

Our two Ti Mounes will be played by Star Magic artist, Angela Ken who’s returning from her theatre debut in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee where she played Olive Ostrovsky. Her alternate is Sparkle artist Thea Astley, who’s also returning from playing Mimi Marquez in Rent just a few months ago.

We also have two actors playing little Ti Moune. One of them is Bianca Estacio, who is no stranger to the stage—playing Joy’s daughter Ligaya in the 2023 run of Ang Huling El Bimbo. She is alternated by Reese Iso, who made her professional theatre debut in the 2023 run of Snow White and the Prince, playing a Young Dwarf.

Theatre veteran Lani Ligot plays Mama Euralie, Ti Moune’s adoptive mother. She portrayed the lead role of Ti Moune 24 years ago in the Hong Kong productions of Once on This Island, Joseph the Dreamer, and RAK of Aegis.

Raul Montesa will play Ti Moune’s adoptive father, Tonton Julian. Locally, he was part of Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! and Silver Lining. Internationally, he was part of the original cast of Miss Saigon in Germany, Manila, Hong Kong, and Singapore as the Assistant Commissar. He’ll be alternated by Noel Rayos, a three-time Gawad Buhay nominee for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Featured Role. He also played Daniel in the Hong Kong run of Once on This Island.

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The role of Andrea goes to Krystal Kane, who has been in notable productions such as I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Tabing Ilog: The Musical. Kane was also the assistant musical director for Dani Girl and the costume stylist for Lungs and Bawat Bonggang Bagay. She is alternated by Star Magic talent Shanaia Gomez, who made her theatre debut in The Sandbox Collective’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as Marcy Park.

Founder of Galaw.Co Dance Theatre, seasoned theatre actor and choreographer PJ Rebullida takes the role of Armand. He’s portrayed lead characters for Ballet Philippines and took his talents to Germany while dancing for Ballet Luneburg & Stage Entertainment.

Our four Storytellers also feature two returning Rent cast members, Star Magic Jordan Andrews and Fay Castro, who played Gordon and Joanne Jefferson. Sam Libao and Jonjon Martin also take the stage, the latter having appeared in musicals such as Fiddler On The Roof, Disney’s Aladdin, and Mulan.

Singer and songwriter Radha portrays the Goddess of the Earth Asaka. She’s best known as an original member of the Filipino-Canadian hip-hop group Kulay. Radha also participated in the first season of The Voice of the Philippines, where she ended up as a semi-finalist in Team Lea.

Sparkle artist Garrett Bolden will be playing the God of Water Agwé. Dubbed the ‘Kapuso Soul Ballader’, he won the Awit Award for People’s Voice Favourite New Male Artist in 2020 for his unique take on RnB. Bolden also played Tom Collins in the recently concluded Rent.

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Goddess of Love Erzulie will be played by Jasmine Fitzgerald, who played Maureen Johnson in 9Works Theatrical’s Rent. She’ll be alternated by Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, who won multiple awards, such as the Leaf Awards Best Actress in a Musical and the Awit Awards Best New Female Recording Artist. 

Lorenz Martinez will be bringing the Demon of Death Papa Ge to the Philippine stage. Known for his roles in local TV series and films such as Heneral Luna, Owe My Love, and Dragon Lady, Martinez has showcased his versatility on stage and screen. He was also part of the Dutch production of Miss Saigon where he played the Engineer.

In classic 9Works Theatrical fashion, audiences can expect something special to look forward to just like in Rent and Tick, Tick… Boom! “To me, the pasabog shouldn’t be the ultimate goal. It’s the icing on the cake. I want to focus on the cake,” shares Guevara. “There won’t be just one major pasabog. There will be multiple, smaller ones that will hopefully hit you in a subtle way. We don’t want to fall into the trap that there’s only one formula for everything. At the end of the day, the pasabog is a tool and how we use that tool will define how we tell the story,” he adds.

Once on This Island will open on September 6 at the Carlos P Romulo Theatre in the RCBC Plaza, Makati. For more information, visit 9Works Theatrical’s social media pages.

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