Bravo Offers Caribbean Getaway that Won't Bust the Pocketbook

BRAVO, Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School's fine and performing arts department, will take visitors on an extraordinary journey when the school presents, "Once on this Island."

The third production of the season will be on stage for three performances at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 2, and at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 at Brooks, 325 S. Kenilworth Ave.

"Once on This Island" is a story within a story, told to calm a young girl during a storm. Set on a French Antilles mythical Caribbean island where class differences prevail, it’s a fable about a peasant girl plucked from just such a storm by the gods and sheltered in a tree.

Students will perform, sing and dance. And they'll also a hand - with adults - in doing the choreography, costumes and set design. BRAVO students and alumni designed all the makeup for the show, said Tina Reynolds, BRAVO's artistic director.

The 16-member Hatch Alumni Steel Drum Ensemble, under the direction of Evan Jacobson, will perform during intermission. Moving projection screens and mounted projectors will set the mood by providing the background of the island.

Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens wrote the music and lyrics for Broadway hits "Ragtime" and "Seussical."

Tickets for this weekend's performances are available online. For more information contact Tina Reynolds at treynolds@o97.org or Randi Orlin at  rorlin@op97.org.

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