Once On This Island | Levoy Theatre

PLAYBILL

Once On This Island – Playbill

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

Once On This Island – Director’s Note

SPECIAL THANKS

Shaun Laurencio
The Pin Cushion
Rowan Theatre Department
Shannon Sheridan
Cumberland Players
Al Caggiano
Lou Mannarino
1 SOUND
Ryan Headley
Vineland All Middle School Productions
Stage Crew: CJ Jarema, Rachel Smith, Abby Mathis, Delaney Burke
Spotlight Operators: Alicia Ellis, Evelyn Jarve

CAST BIOS

Rayna Allen — Ti Moune - Rayna J. (She/Her) is beyond excited to tell this story as her first production at The Levoy. She's currently a sophomore at Rider University getting a BFA in Musical Theatre, and her recent Rider credits include: Spelling Bee (Schwartzy), Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, and The Prom. She'd like to give special thanks to her mother, friends, and the cast and production team who have made this the most beautiful experience. It has been so special to work with everyone and she can only hope that you feel inducted into the family while watching! insta: @raynajofficial

Chris Crawford — Daniel Beauxhomme - Chris Crawford Jr. (He/Him) is super excited to be making his Levoy debut as Daniel in Once on this Island! He has loved this show since he saw the revival on Broadway back in 2018 and he is beyond grateful to be able to tell the story with such an outstanding cast! He is a singer, actor, director, playwright, stage manager, and Aries in the NJ, DE, and PA area. You may also know him as one of the members of Quin-Tones Quartet; a collegiate quartet that travels around the country performing for different events. Instagram: @chrisccrawfordjr

April Johnson — Asaka - April Johnson (She/Her) is ecstatic to perform at her home theater after 5 years. Last seen on our stage as Calpurnia in “To Kill a Mockingbird”, her most memorable stage performances include: “Rock of Ages”(Justice), “Ragtime” (Sarah’s Friend), August Wilson’s One Acts, “The Wiz (Glinda), “All Shook Up” (Sylvia), “Little Shop of Horrors” (Crystal), “Big River” (How Blest We Are Solo). She assisted in directing “Metamorphoses”, “Murder On the Orient Express” and directed “All My Sons”. April would like to thank the fantastic cast and crew of “Once On This Island” along with her loving and supportive family.

Carmen Delia Bryant — Erzulie - Carmen Delia Bryant (She/Her) is excited to return to the Levoy in this heartfelt production of OOTI. Favorite Roles: In The Heights (Daniella), Sister Act (Deloris), Mamma Mia (Donna). Carmen earned a BA in Theatre from Rutgers, and has taught Theatre at Buena Regional H.S. since 2005. To Dom: thank you for including me in your vision - this show means so much to us! To Scott: Thank you for introducing me to this show! To my family & my students: “YOU are why”. To Pop: my "tree" - continue to watch over me and guide me on my journey. Love and miss you always!’

Raven Stewart — Papa Ge - Raven Stewart (She/Her) is no stranger to the stage. She has been with OBSP since 2007. Her most recent performance was OBSP's "The Wedding Singer" (Ensemble/Tina Turner Impersonator). Raven is thrilled to be back on the stage with a wondeful group of people. Favorite past roles include Spongebob (Ensemble), Wedding Singer (Ensemble/Tina Turner Impersonator), Elf (Ensemble). "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players." - William Shakespeare

Gabrielle Peal — Mama Euralie - Gabrielle Peal (She/Her) is overjoyed to make her debut at the Levoy Theatre in her favorite musical! She has always wished to be a part of this show and is honored to be doing so with such an astoundingly talented cast. Some of her favorite past roles have been Sandy - SpongeBob the Musical, Lucinda-Into the Woods, and Jetsam-Little Mermaid. She wants to thank her friends and family for supporting her dreams and listening to her endlessly rave about this show!

Taye Hopkins — Ton Ton Julian - Taye Hopkins (he/they) is incredibly excited to play Tonton Julian in the beautiful story of Once On This Island. He is a South Jersey based actor who was last seen in Les Blancs at EgoPo Classic Theater in Philadelphia. Other appearances include Off Broadstreet Players’ Wedding Singer (Ensemble/Fake Mr. T), Dreamgirls at Wilmington Drama League (Curtis), Memphis at the Grand Theater (Wailin’ Joe), EgoPo’s production of Curse of the Starving Class (Sergeant Malcom/ Emerson), And Hallelujah Baby(Tip, featured dancer) at Haddonfield plays and players. When not on stage, Taye attends Rowan University, and spends his free time testing the limits of his creativity through his original music and stories.

Asana Ramos — Little Girl / Little Ti Moune - Asana Ramos (She/Her) is an 8 year old 3rd grade student at Woodcrest Elementary. She lives in Cherry Hill, NJ with her parents, older brother Audio, and little brother Arrow. Asana wants to be an actress when she grows up because of the joy of performing and learning new roles. Some of her hobbies are reading, drawing, arts and crafts, dance, riding her bike, and playing games with her friends. Past roles include; Rabbit - Winnie The Pooh; Mouse - Frog and Toad; Bird Girl - Seussical. I would like to thank my mom and dad for all their love and support! And I would like to thank my acting coach Ms. Lea for believing in me and introducing me to this role. "You will always be successful if you never give up." - Asana Ramos

Brinah Iglesias — Andrea / Storyteller - Brinah Iglesias (She/Her) is super excited to make her Off Broad Street Players debut in Once On This Island at the Levoy. This production holds a special place in Brinah’s heart because of the incredible music! In the past, Brinah’s favorite roles include “Ann Deaver” in All My Sons, “Elvira” in Blythe Spirt and “Mary Debenham” in Murder in the Orient Express. Brinah would like to thank God for her talents, her family and friends for their continuous support. Enjoy the show!

Beaux Emerson — Armand / Storyteller - Beaux Emerson (He/Him) is an actor, soul singer, songwriter, and performer. Past Theater credits: The Color Purple, The Wiz, Jesus Christ Superstar, Talk About Drama, kinky Boots, A Raisin in the Sun, Memphis. He has performed in Tributes to The Latin Casino and Motown. He has also performed the National Anthem for several local sports teams. Past tv/film credits include: Death Saved My Life starring Meagan Good, Concrete Cowboy starring Idris Elba,SlowBurn, Hustle.

Alexandra Rowe — Storyteller / On-Stage Dance Captain - Alexandra Rowe (She/Her) is currently a freshman dance major at Rowan University. She started taking dance classes at Paul Morris DanceXplosion at age three and was in her first musical performance at age eight. Some of her favorite previous roles include the Lamp Vendor in Aladdin Kids, Clara Silberhaus in The Nutcracker All Jazz'd Up, and an ensemble member of The Spongebob Musical. She has been thrilled to work on this production of Once on This Island as a Storyteller and On-Stage Dance Captain. She wants to thank everyone involved in putting on this amazing production for their dedication and this worthwhile opportunity. She also wants to send love and gratitude to her family for their constant love and support.

Brejai Grant — Storyteller - Brejai Grant (She/Her) is so excited to be here at her first show at the Levoy! She’s 22 and a Bridgeton High School graduate, Go bulldogs! She’s been doing theater for 7 years now but when she isn’t on stage you can find her in her garden tending to her plants or at the mall looking for new ways to express herself with her fashion choices. She hopes that this show will touch the hearts of others like it’s touched hers and hopes to keep doing what she loves, performing.

Alex Brown — Storyteller - Alex Brown (He/Him) is excited to debut at the Levoy! Alex is a 24-year old performer and graduate of Rowan University’s Music Industry program. He enjoys sharing his talents on any platform, from the stage to churches, with choirs and a cappella groups. Previous productions include The Ritz’s Bisley Boy (Ensemble) and Once On This Island (Agwe), Theatre In The X and EgoPo’s Plum Bun (Franky Porter), and Rowan Opera Company’s Die Fledermaus (Dr. Falke). He wishes to thank his family for their continued support, and for Dom and the crew for having him in their vision for this show

Khai Jones — Storyteller - Khai Jones (He/Him) is so happy and grateful to be making his Levoy and professional theater debut. This show brings so much joy to his heart, and being able to live it and to actually share it with an audience brings a humbling warmth to his heart. Shout out to the incredibly talented and hilarious cast that make up our island, to the incredibly dedicated crew that help us tell it! Thank you to Maria and Sadi for the numerous rides! A big BIG thank you to my family, especially his mother who gave him the skills to work the talent given to him by God!

Sydnee Gorham — Storyteller - Sydnee Nichole Gorham (She/Her) is 19 years old. She is a student at Rowan University. As a Theater major with a concentration in Musical Theater. This is the first time she is doing Once on This Island as a full show, and it is her first professional show as well. Past roles include Erzulie(Once on This Island jr.), Bowery Beauty(Newsies), Three little pigs(Shrek). This show has a wonderful cast and crew, and is a great community. This was a wonderful experience, and it would be great to do it again. Special thanks to my parents for supporting me in everything that I do.

Ofelia Chavez — Storyteller - Ofelia Chavez Ramirez (She/Her) graduated from Rutgers-Camden with a degree in Applied Physics and minor in Mathematics. She also enjoys collecting vinyl records and spending time with her younger siblings. Favorite past roles include Sister Sophia (The Sound of Music). She works in Woodstown and hopes to continue singing and acting. Special thanks to the cast of “The Sound of Music” who made me feel welcome in my start in theater. And shoutout to my family for supporting my passion.

2024 Broadway Season