Once on an island, there lived dark-skinned peasants who told the tale of a poor young girl who struck a deal with a demon god to spare the life of a wealthy young mulatto man who was dying. Here in Los Angeles, Reprise Theatre Company has made a glorious offering to the theater gods with their stunning production of the 1990 Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's Caribbean-flavored musical, Once on This Island.

As directed by Billy Porter, the emphasis stays firmly on the storytelling and the depth of true emotion, thus imbuing the production with a stylish simplicity and tremendous charm. Add an outstanding cast, design team, and musical and dance support, and this becomes a virtually flawle[...]