Once on This Island

Ti Moune, a peasant girl, rescues a wealthy boy from the other side of the island, Daniel, with whom she falls in love. Unbeknownst to Ti Moune, the pompous gods who preside over the island make a bet with one another over which is stronger, love or death, the stakes being Ti Moune's life. When she pursues Daniel, who has returned to his people, Ti Moune is shunned because of her lowly status. Her determination and capacity to love, though, is not enough to win Daniel's heart, and Ti Moune pays the ultimate price; but the gods turn Ti Moune into a tree that grows so strong and so tall, it breaks the wall that separates the societies and ultimately unites them.

LOCATION: Frauenthal Stage Black Box, 425 W. Western Ave. Muskegon
SHOW RUN: Show run: January 16-25, 2026
CURTAIN TIMES: Thurs, Fri, Sat at 7:30 PM; Sun at 3 PM

DIRECTED BY Nia Merriwether

AUDITIONS: November 3, 4, & 5, 2025

Script may be found here

*Muskegon Civic Theatre is committed to creating an inclusive environment and is actively seeking actors and volunteers of all races, lifestyles, and backgrounds. We encourage anyone who is interested to volunteer and/or audition. We are seeking an inclusive cast featuring actors of all body types, abilities, and gender identities, with an emphasis on Black, Indigenous & People of Color.

Synopsis: Based on the 1985 novel My Love, My Love; or, The Peasant Girl, Once on This Island is set on a Caribbean island and tells the story of a young girl named Ti Moune. The story unfolds as Ti Moune falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of the island. Guided by the powerful island gods, Ti Moune’s determination and courage are put to the test as she defies tradition and strives to prove that love can conquer all. Her journey of love, self-discovery, and bravery crosses class divides, offering audiences a heartfelt tale of resilience and the transformative power of storytelling. Once on This Island is a tale of resilience, sacrifice, and the magic of the human heart.

Content Note: Once on This Island has some mature themes, including colorism, colonialism, classism, and death.

Audition Procedure:

*Please prepare 16-32 measures (usually a verse and a chorus) of an appropriate audition song and provide sheet music for our pianist. It is best to have your music in a 3-ring binder with as few page turns as possible. (The less the pianist has to worry about your music, the better the audition you will have.) If you have questions or need help putting together sheet music for the audition, you can reach out to our music director, PNOJason@gmail.com. We discourage auditioning a cappella (without a piano).

Musical Callback Materials

Sheet music and piano tracks for callbacks will be posted here. You will just click on the character for whom you are being called back.

Roles:

Ti Moune – A peasant girl. Our story's protagonist. Curious and energetic. Earnest and romantic about all creatures. Falls tragically in love with Daniel. Age: Late Teens to early 20s. Vocal range top: E5. Vocal range bottom: G3

Little Ti Moune – Ti Moune as a child.

Daniel Beauxhomme – A grand homme (French for “upper class”); Ti Moune’s love interest. A youthful man from the wealthy part of the island. He is bound to fulfill the expectations of his higher social class. Struggles with his feelings for Ti Moune. Age: 18 to 25. Vocal range top: F#4. Vocal range bottom: C#3.

Papa Ge – God of Death. The Demon of Death. Proud and sly. His menacing ways are often a cause of distress, as he is in control of life and death. Vocal range top: G4. Vocal range bottom: C3.

Erzulie – Beautiful Goddess of Love; the foil to Papa Ge. The Goddess of Love, beautiful and elegant with a strong belief in the power of love. She has a sympathetic heart. Vocal range top: C#5. Vocal range bottom: A3.

Agwe – God of Water. He is strong, clever, and compassionate. Enjoys playing with the rain and ocean. Vocal range top: E4. Vocal range bottom: B2.

Asaka – Mother of the Earth. The Mother of Earth. She is very caring and nurturing. Her motherly disposition makes her well-suited to provide inhabitants with anything they need. Vocal range top: E5. Vocal range bottom: A3.

Mama Euralie – Ti Moune’s adoptive mother. She is fearful of social status and greatly protective of her family. Vocal range top: B4. Vocal range bottom: Gb3.

Tonton Julian – Ti Moune’s adoptive father. Filled with courage that is fueled by the love for his wife and daughter. Vocal range top: E4. Vocal range bottom: A2.

Andrea Deveraux – Daniel’s promised wife; also “Madame Armand”

Armand Beauxhomme – Daniel’s stern father

Gatekeeper – The Hotel Beauxhomme’s fierce guard (commonly played by actor playing Armand)

The Little Girl – A young girl who is told the story of Ti Moune

Daniel’s Son – Daniel’s young son (commonly played by actor playing Daniel).

Story Tellers/Gossips – The Ensemble

Frozen Jr

The Penguin Project Of Muskegon Civic Theatre brings Disney's award-winning movie musical to life! A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, Frozen JR. expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between Princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. With a cast of beloved characters and loaded with magic, adventure, and plenty of humor, Frozen JR. is sure to thaw even the coldest heart!

Purchase Tickets

Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors

Ever wondered what would happen if you took Bram Stoker’s legendary vampire tale and put it into a blender with Mel Brooks, Monty Python, and The 39 Steps? That’s just what happens in this lightning-fast, laugh-out-loud, 90-minute, gender-bending romp. When her sister Mina falls ill with a mysterious disease of the blood, Lucy Westfeldt and her fiancé, Jonathan Harker, enlist the help of famed female vampire hunter Doctor Jean Van Helsing. Their hunt for the dangerous and sexy Count Dracula abounds with clever wordplay and quick-change antics. Five actors play over a dozen roles in this bloodcurdlingly hilarious send-up of the literary classic.

Purchase Tickets

Bright Star

Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past—and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, BRIGHT STAR is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.

Purchase Tickets

Love, Loss, and What I Wore

A play of monologues and ensemble pieces about women, clothes and memory covering all the important subjects—mothers, prom dresses, mothers, buying bras, mothers, hating purses and why we only wear black. Based on the bestselling book by Ilene Beckerman.

Purchase Tickets

Anastasia

From Tony winners Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens, creators of such Broadway classics as Ragtime and Once On This Island, this dazzling show transports its audience from the twilight of the Russian Empire to the euphoria of Paris in the 1920s, as a brave young woman sets out to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by a ruthless Soviet officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing con man and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love and family.

Purchase Tickets