Starlight-Presents-a-Timeless-Journey.php

Starlight Presents a Timeless Journey

• Community
• 06/09/2026

Set on the vibrant island of Haiti, Once on This Island tells the sweeping story of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with a young man from the wealthy side of the island.

Guided and challenged by the island gods of Love, Earth, Water, and Death, her journey becomes a powerful exploration of love, sacrifice, and destiny. With its energetic, rhythmic score and colorful storytelling, the Tony Award–winning musical celebrates hope, resilience, and the strength of the human spirit. Performances run June 10–13 and July 15–19 at Starlight Theatre.

For director Christopher D. Brady, the production holds a rare and profound place in musical theatre.

“I believe Once on This Island is one of the most beautiful musicals of our time,” Brady said. “Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens are my favorite writing team in the musical theatre canon, and this show stands as one of their most transcendent achievements. For those of us who live inside this art form, Once on This Island is nothing short of wonderful; sacred even.”

Brady notes that while the musical draws inspiration from Rosa Guy’s novel My Love, My Love, or the Peasant Girl—itself a reimagining of The Little Mermaid—its impact reaches far beyond its source material.

“This is Caribbean folklore, a warning about love, and a testament to its enduring power, all woven together into something that resonates with beauty,” he said.

The production is set in modern-day Haiti, a country whose history and present realities deeply inform the storytelling.

“Haiti carries one of the most remarkable and painful histories on earth — the first Black republic, born from revolution, steeped in the traditions of the African diaspora and French colonial legacy,” Brady said. “Today, Haiti faces a devastating humanitarian crisis, with widespread displacement, violence, and instability touching the lives of ordinary people every single day.”

Even in the face of hardship, Brady emphasizes the resilience at the heart of the story and the people it reflects.

“Through all of the strife, devastation, and displacement, the Haitian people find time to be jubilant, connect, and be together,” he said. “The one thing we understand that represents Haitians is resilience.”

At its core, Brady says the musical carries a message that defines its emotional power.

“This is a show that says love is greater than death,” he said. “Not simply that love gives us hope against death, but that love outlasts it.”

Brady is quick to shine the spotlight on the many people who made the production possible. From the cast and crew to the designers, musicians, and student workers, he credits their shared creativity, dedication, and countless hours of work for bringing the show to life.

To audiences, his message is simple: presence and connection matter.

“Thank you for being part of this community,” Brady said. “If this performance moves you, tell someone. Tell everyone. Tell the story.”

For more information about Starlight's 60th anniversary or to purchase tickets, visit Starlight Theatre.