Teatro Pinas : Behind the Scenes of 9 Works Theatrical "Once on This Island" and How Jonjon Martin Became Part of the Cast
In celebration of its 15th anniversary, 9 Works Theatrical is set to stage the award-winning musical “Once on This Island” from September 6 to 29, 2024, at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City. This enchanting production tells the story of star-crossed lovers Ti Moune and Daniel Beauxhomme, whose love faces the formidable barrier of class differences. Based on Rosa Guy's 1985 novel "My Love, My Love" or "The Peasant Girl," the musical is a Caribbean reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen's beloved tale, "The Little Mermaid."
The production boasts an impressive cast featuring Sam Concepcion and Jef Flores sharing the role of Daniel, with Radha as Asaka, Lorenz Martinez as Papa Ge, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez and Jasmine Fitzgerald alternating as Erzulie, Raul Montesa and Noel Rayos as Tonton Julian, and Lani Ligot as Mama Euralie. The roles of Andrea, Armand, and the Storytellers will be brought to life by Shanaia Gomez, Krystal Kane, PJ Rebullida, Jonjon Martin, Sam Libao, Jordan Andrews, and Fay Castro, while Bianca Estacio and Reese Iso will portray Little Ti Moune.
Robbie Guevara, the company’s Artistic Director, will helm the production, ensuring that the magic of this well-loved musical resonates with both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
But the journey to this staging is as captivating as the musical itself. During a recent discussion, several behind-the-scenes stories emerged, particularly regarding how actor Jonjon Martin unexpectedly became part of the cast.
Santi, involved in the planning, revealed that the team had been in talks about this production for quite some time, initially meeting last year regarding "Ticket2Me," which eventually led to a partnership for "Once on This Island." The excitement from the "Ticket2Me" team was palpable, especially when they discovered that Santi already held the rights to the show.
The idea to stage "Once on This Island" resurfaced during a photoshoot for another production, "Little Shop of Horrors." The team quickly realized that this musical was a well-loved classic, not just for the cast and crew but also for Robbie, who had seen it multiple times, albeit only in school productions. Jonjon, who knows the material inside and out and considers it his favorite musical, was particularly enthusiastic about the idea.
Interestingly, Jonjon's involvement in the cast was entirely unplanned. During a deliberation before the show "Bawat Bongga," the team decided to expand the cast from the original 11 to 13 members, eventually settling on 15 per show, with a total of 21 actors in rotation. While the team was brainstorming names, Jonjon, who was busy eating, was casually mentioned by Tof as someone interested in joining the cast.
However, Jonjon never explicitly expressed his desire to be part of the production. Robbie recalled, "He never said anything. I told them to confirm with him first because he was kind of out of shape, and I needed people who could move well."
The following day, Tof informed Robbie of the surprising news. "Congrats, ha. Jonjon is in," Tof said, leaving Robbie stunned. The decision to include Jonjon was influenced by Robbie and Mio, who wanted a cast with a variety of shapes and sizes, which ultimately led to Jonjon's inclusion. Now, with Jonjon on board, Loretta is helping him get in shape and master the dances, ensuring he's ready for his role.
"Once on This Island" promises to be a spectacular production, with ticket prices ranging from P2,200 to P3,900, available via Ticket2Me. As the company celebrates 15 years of bringing exceptional theater to life, this musical stands as a testament to their continued passion and dedication to the arts.
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