“The gods are awake and we take no chance! We dance!”
The Cape Fear Regional Theatre had its official opening of Once On This Island Saturday night.
The play serves as a great transition to summer. The tropical colors, music and dancing may make you want to put Fayetteville in the rearview mirror, head east for the beach and enjoy an umbrella-covered libation.
This one-set show is packed with all the professionalism and storytelling we’ve come to expect from the Cape Fear Regional Theatre — but this time with Caribbean flair.
The story: what’s this about?
Once On This Island is a musical with the book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty. It’s a coming-of-age story centered on the islanders’ retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid. Ti Moune, brilliantly played by Kendall Stewart, is a peasant girl who falls in love with Daniel Beauxhomme. Beauxhomme, played by Ricky DeVon Hall, is from a wealthy and privileged part of the island, and someone a peasant is not expected — let alone permitted — to marry.
The unconventional love story weaves together themes of grief, love, pain, and above all, hope.
If you’re familiar with the Netflix show Outer Banks, you may notice similarities between the island’s social dynamics and the tension between the Pogues (the less-affluent side of the island) and the Kooks (the wealthy side). Both stories explore the deep social divide between the haves and have-nots.
In the musical, Beauxhomme, who is engaged to be married, shares a fleeting romance with Ti Moune but ultimately succumbs to societal expectations. As he heartbreakingly tells her, “Some girls you love, some you marry.”
Woven throughout the story are the four gods who rule the island: Asaka, Mother of the Earth; Agwe, God of Water; Erzulie, Goddess of Love; and Papa Ge, the Demon of Death. Each plays a significant role in guiding the fate of the two leads. When Erzulie suggests that love is the most powerful force of all, Papa Ge challenges her by proposing a bet — to see whether love or death will ultimately prevail.
The scenery is a star of the show
The first thing you’ll notice upon entering the performance area is the beautifully lit stage designed to resemble sand, docks and a Caribbean tin shack. Scenic Designer Riw Rakkulchon did such a remarkable job that I had to touch the stage to see if the sand was real. For a moment, I wondered if the theater had actually dumped three tons of white sand onstage — but it turned out to be a brilliant illusion created through textured props and strategic lighting.
Rakkulchon, originally from Bangkok, Thailand, earned his Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama. The show’s lighting designer, Erica Lauren Maholmes, worked closely with him and complemented the set with warm lanterns and island-inspired lighting.
To further enhance the ambiance before the show begins, sounds of the island — seagulls flying overhead and water gently lapping against the shore — immerse you in the atmosphere of the French Antilles.
The dancing and songs are sublime
The dance performances are a central part of this production, contributing just as much to the storytelling as the actors’ dialogue. The islanders’ native dance style is vibrant and deeply expressive — and all rooted in well-researched cultural heritage. It not only brings the stage to life but also reinforces the story’s connection to the earth and the people who inhabit it.
There are 20 songs in total, with an intermission midway through. The actors portraying the gods doubled as ensemble members. They danced among the islanders, perhaps subtly influencing their actions and emotions — their fates — blurring the lines further between divine intervention and human experience.
Reactions from the audience
Cinda Doggett and Mike Decario, frequent theatergoers at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, shared their thoughts on the performance.
“I thought the voices and acting were amazing and very emotional. For such a small setup, it’s so well done. I had tears in my eyes at the end, even though I knew what was going to happen,” Doggett said.
“Honestly, I wasn’t sure what it was going to be about. I had the impression it might be like The Little Mermaid, but it wasn’t. It exceeded my expectations, especially the singing and dancing,” Decario added.
Once On This Island runs through June 1 and is the last production of the Cape Fear Regional Theatre season until Moana Jr. in June and July. I found this unconventional story about love to be very entertaining and worthwhile. I’m glad I saw it and I recommend it.
Flex passes are now on sale for the 2025-2026 season. For tickets or more information call 910-323-4233, or go to cfrt.org.
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