Moonlight Stage Productions “Once On This Island” June 16 – July 3, 2021

VISTA, CA (June 2021) – When the curtain goes up June 16 for “Once On This Island,” the first musical of Moonlight Stage Productions’ summer season, the theatre will celebrate two major milestones. First, the Moonlight celebrates the 40th anniversary of its founding in 1981 and its subsequent productions of 219 shows both at the Moonlight Amphitheatre and the AVO Playhouse. Its second milestone is its return to the stage following a near year-and-a-half nationwide shutdown of live events during the pandemic.

“One of the most poignant aspects of reopening the Moonlight for the summer will be seeing the amphitheatre come back to life,” said Producing Artistic Director Steven Glaudini.

“The Moonlight is considered home to many, from our audience, actors, creative staff, technicians and musicians. To have had our home shuttered since 2019 has been a challenge that we are excited to finally overcome.”

“Everyone working to bring this season to life has a shared and heightened sense of anticipation,” said Managing Director Colleen Kollar Smith. “While every summer at the Moonlight is special, this one is uniquely so, with all the members of our Moonlight family returning after over a year of being shuttered. With our actors returning to the stage, our orchestra to the pit, and our audiences to their seats, we can’t wait until opening night.”

Winner of the 2018 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, “Once on This Island” is the sweeping, universal tale of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl in search of her place in the world, and ready to risk it all for love. Guided by the mighty island gods, Ti Moune sets out on a remarkable journey to reunite with the man who has captured her heart. The show is the groundbreaking musical retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid.” Revived on Broadway in 2017, the show has a musical score filled with Caribbean influences and comes from the creative team of writer and lyricist Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty.

“Once On This Island” is directed and choreographed by Paul David Bryant with Lyndon Pugeda as music director and conductor. The acting company includes, Kevin “Blax” Burroughs as Armand, Leo Ebanks as Tonton Julian, Brooke Henderson as Ti Moune, Patricia Jewel as Mama Euralie, Jodi Marks as Asaka, Jocline Mixson as Andrea, Nathan Andrew Riley as Agwe, Anise Ritchie as Erzulie, Ala Tiatia-Garaud as Daniel, Edred Utomi as Papa Ge and Maya Washington as Little Ti Moune. “Once On This Island” marks a homecoming for Riley and Utomi who are both on hiatus from appearing in the national tours of Disney’s “The Lion King” and “Hamilton” respectively.

The design team for “Once On This Island” includes Stephen Gifford (Scenic), Jennifer Edwards (Lighting), Jim Zadai (Sound) and Blake McCarty (Projections). Sets, costumes and properties are provided by 3-D Theatricals. Costumes are coordinated by Felicia Broschart and properties are coordinated by Gabrielle Tillinghast. The stage manager for the production is Stanley D. Cohen.

Subscriptions and single tickets to the 2021 summer season are on sale now online at moonlightstage.com, by phone at (760) 724-2110, and in-person at VisTix, 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista.

For more information, visit moonlightstage.com or call (760) 724-2110.

CALENDAR INFORMATION
“Once On This Island”
June 16 – July 3, 2021
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for dining and picnicking; curtain at 8:00 p.m. Performances are Wednesday through Sunday nights the first two weeks of the run and Wednesday through Saturday night the third week.

HEALTH & SAFETY
The Moonlight is poised to respond to the ever-evolving health guidelines from the state and has measures in place including a socially distanced seating option, hand sanitizing stations placed throughout the theatre and daily cleaning of common areas. A socially distanced seating area has been established in the theatre’s “great lawn” section for those who have not received Covid-19 vaccinations or for those who are vaccinated but wish to remain distanced from others. Patrons who plan to sit in any of the theatre’s other seating areas are asked to be fully vaccinated or to have received a negative Covid-19 test 48 hours prior to their ticketed performance. The Moonlight is requiring audience members to wear face masks while they are in the theatre except for when they are eating or drinking in their seats. Moonlight has instituted measures for its artists and staff to minimize health risks and is proactively working with the Actors’ Equity Association to ensure a healthy working environment on and backstage.

FOOD AND PICNICKING
For the 2021 summer season, The Moonlight welcomes Bread and Cheese Eatery as the theatre’s new concessionaire. Audiences may reserve a table for $5 a person on the Moonlight Patio to enjoy charcuterie boards and other menu items from Bread and Cheese Eatery for an additional purchase. Audiences are also invited to bring their own picnic suppers and non-alcoholic beverages into the Amphitheatre. Outside alcohol is not permitted. A variety of wine and beers will be available for purchase from Bread and Cheese Eatery.

ABOUT THE COMPANY
Kevin “Blax” Burroughs (Armand) is a performer, director, choreographer and lighting designer. Performance credits: Smokey Joe’s Café (Victor & Adrian), In The Heights (Benny), Hairspray (Seaweed), Violet (Flick), title role in The Wiz, Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas), Les Misérables (Enjolras), Next To Normal (Henry) among others. Directorial credits: Carrie, Next To Normal, James…Giant Peach and an upcoming production of Songs For A New World. Choreographic credits: Little Shop Of Horrors, In The Heights, Carrie, Legally Blonde, All Shook Up, James…Giant Peach, Matilda, The Addams Family, Hairspray, The Wiz and others. Select lighting design credits: The Addams Family, Legally Blonde, All Shook Up, Matilda, Wizard of Oz, James…Giant Peach, Next To Normal, The Little Mermaid and his favorite, Carrie. He is the Co-Founder of Teatro San Diego.

Leo Ebanks (Tonton Julian) is ecstatic to be making his Moonlight debut in Once On This Island. Recent credits include Benedick in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing at SDSU, Billy in Carrie, The Musical at Onstage Playhouse and Georg in Spring Awakening at Grossmont College. Leo is a U.S. Army Veteran and is currently a student at San Diego State University double majoring in Theatre performance and Film Production. When he isn’t on stage, Leo focuses on videography, editing and producing short films.

Brooke Henderson (Ti Moune) is excited to return to The Moonlight this summer! She just finished her freshman year at Columbia College of Chicago where she is getting her BFA in Musical Theater. Her previous credits include Lorraine in All Shook Up (San Diego Musical Theater), Katherine Plumber in Newsies (San Diego Junior Theater) and Viola in Twelfth Night (Old Globe Summer Intensive) as well as her five years in How The Grinch Stole Christmas (The Old Globe).

Patricia Jewel (Mama Euralie) is delighted to return to The Moonlight in this magical production of Once On This Island. She was last seen on our stage in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. She is an accomplished singer, ASCAP songwriter and actress based in Southern California. Patricia is a proud graduate of the University of Redlands where she earned her Bachelor’s in Music and Psychology. Some of her favorite previous roles include Matron Mama Morton in Chicago, Iemanja in Oliverio: A Brazilian Twist and Muzzy Van Hossmere in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Other theatre credits include Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act, Ragtime, Shrek The Musical and Accelerate! The Magic of Making Musicals.

Jodi Marks (Asaka) is honored to be joining The Moonlight family. She graduated from AMDA with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Credits include The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Evita, Little Women, The Laramie Project and Xanadu. She is so grateful to be back on stage and would like to thank the entire cast and crew for making this show one she will never forget. Most of all she would like to thank her family and friends for their continuous support and love.

Jocline Mixson (Andrea) is thrilled to make her Moonlight stage debut! Past theater credits include: Sister Act, Ragtime, Hairspray, and Dreamgirls. When not on stage, she makes her living as a model and singer/songwriter. She has recently released her debut single “Simple & Slow,” streaming on all platforms.

Nathan Andrew Riley (Agwe) is honored to be a part of this summer’s season at The Moonlight having last been seen here as Seaweed J. Stubbs in Hairspray! The Musical. Nathan performed extensively in theaters and cabarets in San Diego and Disney’s California Adventure before moving to New York City. Most recently, Nathan was touring the country as a Swing in the National Tour of Disney’s The Lion King. Favorite credits include: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (1st & 2nd National Tours); High Button Shoes (Encores! at New York City Center), The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Radio City Music Hall); The Scottsboro Boys (Phoenix Theatre Company); Shrek and In The Heights (PCPA).

Anise Ritchie (Erzulie) is excited to return to The Moonlight after a LONG time off due to the pandemic. Her first performance here was in Tommy as the Acid Queen in 2013. Anise has also appeared with Pete Townsend and Des McAnuff in the stage reading of Tommy at the La Jolla Playhouse. She is also part of the national tour company of Menopause The Musical and is one of the original cast members of Disney’s production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame at La Jolla Playhouse and Papermill Playhouse and can be heard on the original cast recording. Other appearances include Rock of Ages as Justice and A Little Night Music as Madame Armfeldt (Cygnet Theatre); Big Fish and Boomers (Lamb’s Players Theatre); Violet in Tommy (San Diego Rep); The Life Story of Sammy Davis Jr. and How the Grinch Stole Christmas(Old Globe Theatre); Leap of Faith (Ahmanson Theatre); Nightmare Alley (Geffen Playhouse); Once On This Island (TheaterWorks); Caroline Or Change and Sparks (California Conservatory Theatre); A Grand Night for Singing and Smokey Joe’s Café (Woodminster Amphitheatre); Sophisticated Ladies (Sierra Repertory Theatre); Beehive-The 60s Musical (North Coast Rep). She recently debuted her cabaret talk she Live Laugh Love. Anise has toured Europe singing opera, gospel and many styles of music. Last year she was on tour in Marseille, France singing opera and gospel. Anise has also performed at the Redlands/San Francisco Theological Seminary for their Christmas programs. Her voice can be heard in many television commercials voiceovers, at the San Diego Zoo’s Africa Rocks and now on many Zoom performances.

Ala Tiatia-Garaud (Daniel) is grateful to be returning for Moonlight’s reopening! Credits include the national tours of Evita (swing) and Sesame St. Live! (co-host Caleb); regional theatre productions of Mamma Mia! at East West Players, Pick Me Last (zoom workshop) and Towards Belonging (with Maraya Performing Arts) at La Jolla Playhouse; Guys & Dolls at the Old Globe; La Cage, 42nd Street, and White Christmas at SDMT; and Matilda (Rudolpho), Shrek, Peter Pan, The Music Man, All Shook Up, Catch Me If You Can, and Spamalot at The Moonlight. Theme park credits include Mickey & the Magical Map (Sebastian/Map Maker) at Disneyland and Disney Jr. Dance Party (Finn Fiesta) at California Adventure.

Edred Utomi (Papa Ge) is overjoyed to return to his “home theatre” aka The Moonlight! When not in a pandemic, he stars as Alexander Hamilton on the 1st National Tour of the musical Hamilton. Previous credits include Luce and peerless (The Old Globe’s Powers New Voices Festival), How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (Old Globe Theatre), Weatherman (La Jolla Playhouse), Papa Ge in Once on This Island, Pharaoh in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (3-D Theatricals), Sister Act, Peter Pan, and Shrek The Musical (Moonlight Stage Productions), Willie in Pump Up the Volume: A ’90s Palooza (San Diego Musical Theatre), Jim in Big River (Performance Riverside), the national tour of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (McCoy Rigby Entertainment), My Mañana Comes (San Diego Repertory Theatre), and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (Lamb’s Players Theatre).

Maya Washington (Little Ti Moune) is thrilled to be making her debut with The Moonlight. Some of her favorite credits include the title role in Annie and Matilda The Musical as Lavender. She also recently
filmed a Men’s World Cup Experts commercial where she was able to utilize her competitive soccer skills.

Paul David Bryant (Director & Choreographer) has worked in the entertainment industry for more than 40 years as a director, producer, singer, dancer, actor, and choreographer. He has been associated with the musical Ragtime from Broadway (Vacation Swing), the first and second national tours (Harlem Male Swing), the West End in London, to productions in Australia and Japan and all countries in between. His theatrical endeavors include work with Disney and Universal theme parks. His pride and joy of working in the industry is as a director and mentor to young people and helping them to map out their own journeys in the business. Paul is very excited about being back at The Moonlight and Once On This Island marks the fifth show he has helmed here. He is so proud to be part of kicking off The Moonlight’s 40th anniversary season in this momentous year.

Lyndon Pugeda (Music Director/Conductor) is excited to be back for his 12th season with Moonlight Stage Productions! His work around Southern California, on both the professional and educational levels, has received much recognition, including a Craig Noel Award nomination and three National Youth Arts Awards for Outstanding Musical Direction. Credits include: Victor/Victoria, Mamma Mia!, Aida, Sister Act, All Shook Up, Spamalot (Moonlight); The Lorax, Picasso at the Lapin Agile (The Old Globe); Gutenberg! The Musical! (Backyard Renaissance); Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings (New Village Arts); Man of La Mancha (Oceanside Theatre Company); American Idiot (Riverside City College); Freaky Friday (Moonlight Youth Theatre). He earned his B.A. degree in Music: Interdisciplinary Computing and the Arts from UC San Diego.

THE 2021 SEASON CONTINUES
“Beauty and the Beast”
July 21 – August 7, 2021
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for dining and picnicking; curtain at 8:00 p.m.
“A Chorus Line”
August 18 – September 4, 2021
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for dining and picnicking; curtain at 8:00 p.m.
“On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan”
September 15 – October 2, 2021
Gates open at 6:00 p.m. for dining and picnicking; curtain at 7:30 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION
Subscriptions are $113 – $179 for all four musicals. Single tickets are priced $17 – $59 with additional general lawn discounts for seniors, students and the military. Subscriptions and single tickets go on sale on May 15.

ABOUT THE MOONLIGHT & MOONLIGHT STAGE PRODUCTIONS
Winner of several San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Awards, including “Best Resident Musical” for 2019’s “West Side Story” and 2017’s “In the Heights,” Moonlight Stage Productions has been named “San Diego’s #1 Outdoor Theatre” by readers of ‘San Diego Magazine.’ Moonlight Stage Productions provides high-caliber Broadway musical theatre in the 2000-person capacity Moonlight Amphitheatre, owned and operated by the City of Vista. Audiences attend from throughout San Diego, Southern Riverside, and Orange Counties, making the Moonlight a regional destination for Broadway musical theatre. The Moonlight’s summer season of Broadway musicals is produced in the picturesque Moonlight Amphitheatre and has been a summertime tradition experienced by more than one million people since the theatre’s founding by Kathy Brombacher in 1981. Throughout the decades, the Amphitheatre has seen numerous transformations, but nothing as dramatic as the total reconstruction of the stage house in 2008-2009. A state-of-the-art venue was revealed with a grand reopening in June 2009, including a modern stage and audience facilities. Since then, the Amphitheatre has extended its entertainment offerings with the addition of concerts and other special events held throughout the year through Moonlight Presents and ClubM. Moonlight Stage Productions is the cultural arts program of the City of Vista and is produced in partnership with the Moonlight Cultural Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which supports the programming at The Moonlight year-round in addition to offering youth education programs through Moonlight Youth Theatre.