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The Asbury Park High School theatre department is gearing up for its spring musical, “Once on this Island.”

The play tells the story of a group of Caribbean islanders who are in the midst of a violent tropical storm.

“It’s about a little girl who survives a hurricane and believes her life is destined for greatness because she’s been saved,” said Gary Kilmer, director and head of the school’s theatre and dance department.

The play also deals with class struggles in Haiti, Kilmer has said.

More than 20 students are performing in the play, and another 40-plus comprise the orchestra, according to a release from the school district. Twenty-two advanced graphic arts students participated in a graphic contest aligned with the performance.

The district is also developing a program in preparation for the musical to open up dialogue between students, who will be invited to share their personal stories of enduring Hurricane Sandy last fall, as well as a story of “how the very diverse Asbury Park community came together to help one another, and assist all the families in Asbury Park during such a difficult time,” according to the release.

The cast will perform some of the songs from the play, which was written by the same writing team who composed “The Little Mermaid,” for middle-school and elementary-school students in the days leading up to the performances, as well.

Performances will take place in the high school’s auditorium, on Sunset Avenue, on April 18, 19 and 20 at 7 p.m. Tickets are free for children aged 18 and under, and $5 for adults.

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[Pictured above: two high school students prepare for “The Wiz,” last year’s spring musical.]

 

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