Displaying items by tag: Paige Rene Brown
'Once on This Island' - A Caribbean Fairytale with a Modern Twist
“Once On This Island” is receiving a spirited and lively revival by Pulse Theatre at the once venerable ETA Creative Arts Foundation, now a rental space on the Southside of Chicago.
Set in the French Antilles, namely Haiti, this vibrant production rivals any Broadway In Chicago production. It is a large production with a cast of 25, including young children. The story follows the star-crossed love between Ti Moune, (the captivating Alexandria Simone Irby) a young peasant girl with a yearning for something more than her humble existence would allow and Daniel Beauxhomme (the gifted David Taylor) the son of the lighter skinned grand hommes who are rich and comfortable. Their romance is challenged by class and racial prejudices, quite a lot for a fairytale, luckily the gods are there to guide them. The gods, inspired by Haitian Vodou are Asaka (Marquetta Jackson) mother of the earth, Agwe (Kendall Devin Bell) God of Water, Erzulie (Paige Rene Brown) Goddess of Love and Papa Ge (Isis Elizabeth) the Demon of Death.
These four gods, each with their unique domains and influences, play a significant role in shaping the narrative of “Once on This Island” They test the characters faith, challenge their choices, and ultimately determine their fates.
Director Aaron Reese Boseman and Associate Director and Choreographer Florence Walker-Harris masterfully weaves dance and movement into the narrative, creating an immersive and captivating atmosphere. The audience is swept away by the energetic calypso rhythms, ecstatic ritual dances and even a jazzy French quadrille. All are seamlessly integrated into the storytelling.
The staging is further enhanced by the extraordinary work of scenic designer Russell Hogenson’s interpretation of the Palace of Sans-Souci in Haiti. Although I would have liked to see an actual gate separating the peasants from the leisure class, the artistry of the set cannot be denied. The same can be said for the lighting design by Levi Wilkins. The light show was unbelievable. The storm scene was so realistic. My issue is when the actors are performing in the voms, they must be lit. There are beautiful tableaus happening in the voms, unfortunately they are happening in darkness. Costume designer Terri Devine’s creations were otherworldly. They brought a tropical wonderland to life. I especially loved the dancers with magical lit umbrellas indicating a rainstorm. All these elements blended beautifully together to tell this story.
The music of “Once on the Island” is a delightful fusion of Broadway showtunes and Caribbean styles. The melodies are catchy and memorable, the lyrics witty and insightful. Pulse’s three-person band headed by Elliott Bell creates the idea of a much larger band. Every song is a production number. There are times when the band overpowers the singers especially in the song “Some Girls” sung By Daniel. Percussion isn’t needed. David Taylor, who has a beautiful voice, is competing with the arrangement.
The talented ensemble cast delivers powerful performances, each bringing their unique energy to the stage. Liane Williams as Mama Euralie, Keenen Wilson as Ton Ton Julian and Paige Rene Brown as Erzulie was quite impressive in a phenomenally talented cast.
“Once on This Island” is more than just a musical; it’s an enchanting tapestry weaving together love, loss and the enduring power of storytelling. It reminds us of our lives are shaped by the stories we tell ourselves and the stories we share with others. Pulse Theater’s “Once on This Island” transports their audience not only to a distant tropical island but to the depths of their own heart.
This production should really have a much longer run. It is a excellent production and many more people should be seeing it. Why such a short run is beyond me.
Highly Recommended
When: Through Nov. 19 Sat 3:30 and 8 pm Sun 3:30 pm
Where: eta Creative Ars Foundation 7558 South Chicago Avenue
Tickets: $45 – $35 seniors / $25 Students and children under 18
STEP RIGHT UP AND RIDE THE CYCLONE (THE MUSICAL) AT METROPOLIS ARLINGTON HEIGHTS
22 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewIf anyone has ever told you to buckle up and enjoy the ride, they were talking about life—and even if…
Funny ‘Prayer Circle’ Is Loaded With Laughs
22 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewErik Gernand is resident playwright at Redtwist Theatre, and his Prayer Circle is absolutely laugh-out-loud funny. The strength of this…
Steppenwolf Presents GRACEFUL WARRIOR: AN EVENING WITH GARY SINISE - Tuesday, November 24, 2026
22 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to present Graceful Warrior: An Evening with Gary Sinise on Tuesday, November…
Acclaimed Mexodus musical makes Chicago premiere November 7-21 at Studebaker Theater
22 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreStudebaker Theater, P3 Productions and Audible, in collaboration with Teatro Vista Productions, present the Chicago premiere of the groundbreaking, award-winning new hip-hop musical Mexodus, written and performed…
American Blues Theater hosts its annual costumed fundraiser HALLOWEEN BOO BASH October 25th
21 September 2026 in Theatre BuzzAmerican Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, presents Halloween Boo Bash, its annual costumed fundraiser benefiting artists' wages…
Definition's How We Got On: A Mixtape for the Stage
21 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewWhat happens when three young people discover hip-hop and realize they might have something to say? Idris Goodwin’s How We…
Open Space Arts Presents BEFORE WE ARE HISTORY October 23 – November 8
21 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreOpen Space Arts presents BEFORE WE ARE HISTORY, a three-week theatrical exploration of LGBTQ+ theater created during and in response to…
Northlight Delivers a Headline-Making, Hilarious Front Page
20 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewNorthlight Theatre opened its new venue with Jeffrey Hatcher’s smart, rejuvenated adaptation of The Front Page. Commissioned by Artistic Director…
Chicago Shakes' Play On!: With a Syncopated Harlem Beat
20 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThere are some productions you watch, and then there are productions that make your heart swoon and your toe tap.…
Overshadowed's Flame of Fire Finds Humanity, Strength, and Forgiveness in a Tragic Chapter of Missionary History
19 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewOvershadowed Productions’ Flame of Fire revisits one of the most polarizing true stories in mid‑century missionary history, and the result…
The Attic at Goodman Theatre Redefines Memoir Through Breathtaking Physical Storytelling
19 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewAt intermission, I sent Ken, Buzz Center Stage’s managing editor, a text: “So thankful I made it!! It’s intermission, and…
Class is back in session with Victory Gardens’ World Premiere of The Humanities
19 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewCoincidentally (or not), Victory Gardens’ new play about a controversial campus speaker opens just days after the one-year anniversary of…
Babes With Blades's Announces William Shakespeare's KING LEAR, playing October 22 - November 21
18 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBabes With Blades Theatre Company’s (BWBTC) announced today new production dates for the final production in its 2026 season, William Shakespeare’s King…
Layered, Lovely, and Lasting; The Joffrey Ballet's Liliom Lights up The Lyric Opera
18 September 2026 in Dance in ReviewSometimes when we reach into the past to resurrect or revive an old story, we find it doesn’t age well.…
Cast and Production Team Announced for Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre's THE NICETIES, October 31 – November 15
18 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFleetwood -Jourdain Theatre, an award-winning theatre company that has been thrilling audiences with over four decades of unique, inspirational, and invigorating Black…
Goodman’s centennial is its all‑time most successful year, with 300,000 patrons at 4,000 performances & events
18 September 2026 in Theatre BuzzThe Goodman wraps its 2025/2026 Centennial Season, an unprecedented line-up marking the 100th anniversary of Chicago's flagship not-for-profit theater, as the…
The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show - December 6th at Auditorium Theatre
17 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe greatest holiday show south of the North Pole returns for its 9th year with another brand spankin' new wintertide…
Paramount’s smash hit, immersive Million Dollar Quartet returns for its final run at Aurora’s Stolp Island Theatre, October 7-January 3
17 September 2026 in Upcoming Theatre“Great Balls of Fire!” Chicago audiences have just one last chance to catch Paramount Theatre’s immersive musical Million Dollar Quartet, returning more…
Holiday Cheer (and an earlybird discount) come to The Second City November 25th through December 27th
17 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreTis' the season for laughter and cheer! The Second City is decking its holiday lineup with shows for every sense…
Kokandy Productions’ Jekyll & Hyde: A Fearless Reworking Elevated
17 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewKokandy Productions’ Jekyll & Hyde, now presented by Broadway In Chicago at the Broadway Playhouse, arrives with the momentum of…
Chicago City Opera presents Chicago premiere of Der Vampyr October 7-11
16 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewChicago City Opera (CCO) presents the Chicago premiere of gothic horror opera Der Vampyr by composer Heinrich Marschner to a…
Full Casting Announced for A Red Orchid Theatre's HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING - October 29 – December 6, 2026 - Chicago Premiere!
16 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreA Red Orchid Theatre is pleased to announce full casting for its Chicago premiere of Will Arbery's politically-charged drama Heroes of the Fourth Turning, directed…
Chicago Legend Da Brat to Host and MC THE HIP HOP NUTCRACKER
16 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago is thrilled to welcome trailblazing hip hop artist and Chicago legend Da Brat as special guest host…
THE PRINCESS BRIDE to have Pre-Broadway World Premiere in Chicago July 19 - August 22, 2027
16 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreProducer Jeffrey Seller and Broadway In Chicago have announced the world-premiere of the new musical THE PRINCESS BRIDE will begin performances in…
American Son - Friendship Community Place - Through October 4th
16 September 2026 in Now PlayingGhostlight Ensemble's production of American Son, written by Christopher Demos-Brown and directed by Ebby Offord, opens on Friday, September 18,…
MARRIOTT THEATRE REVEALS A 2027 SEASON OF SHOWSTOPPING MUSICALS AND BELOVED STORIES
16 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreMarriott Theatre, Chicagoland's longest-running musical theatre, presents its 2027 subscription season featuring five thrilling and memorable musicals: Pippin, A Gentleman's Guide to…
Kokandy Productions Concludes 2026 Season with A CLOCKWORK ORANGE: A PLAY WITH MUSIC November 5, 2026 – January 10, 2027 - Full Casting Announced!
15 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreKokandy Productions is pleased to conclude its 2026 Season with A Clockwork Orange: A Play with Music, a live adaptation of Anthony Burgess's dystopian…
Raíces to Roots’ Unpacking Home - Collaboraction's House of Belonging - Through September 27th
15 September 2026 in Now PlayingCollaboraction Theatre Company is thrilled to host a limited run of Unpacking Home by Chicago’s Raices to Roots as part of the 9th Destinos…
Identity Performing Arts Celebrates 5 Years with Gala Performance at MCA's Edlis Neeson Theater October 18th
14 September 2026 in Upcoming DanceIdentity Performing Arts celebrates five years as a dance company embracing artistic innovation, collaboration and community at their Fifth Anniversary Gala at MCA…
BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA - Do we listen to each other as much as birdsongs?
14 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewBirds of North America, written by Anna Ouyang Moench, is a story of a father daughter relationship spanning a decade…
Latest Articles
-
Chicago Shakes' Play On!: With a Syncopated Harlem Beat
Written by Wesley DavidThere are some productions you watch, and then there are productions that make your heart swoon and your toe tap. Sheldon Epps’ Play On! is definitely the latter. Now playing at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, this exuberant musical takes Shakespeare’s Twelfth… -
STEP RIGHT UP AND RIDE THE CYCLONE (THE MUSICAL) AT METROPOLIS ARLINGTON HEIGHTS
Written by Anne RakowieckiIf anyone has ever told you to buckle up and enjoy the ride, they were talking about life—and even if they didn’t know it, they were talking about Ride the Cyclone, the musical. When six teenagers die in a rollercoaster… -
Funny ‘Prayer Circle’ Is Loaded With Laughs
Written by Bill EslerErik Gernand is resident playwright at Redtwist Theatre, and his Prayer Circle is absolutely laugh-out-loud funny. The strength of this script is the characters—who are clearly defined and familiar types—and the performances, directed by Dusty Brown, are uniformly outstanding. Set… -
American Blues Theater hosts its annual costumed fundraiser HALLOWEEN BOO BASH October 25th
Written by Buzz Center StageAmerican Blues Theater, under the continued leadership of Executive Artistic Director Gwendolyn Whiteside, presents Halloween Boo Bash, its annual costumed fundraiser benefiting artists' wages during Season 41. This popular, all-ages celebration features live performances and ghost stories, trick or treating in the theater, contests,…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.