La Salle High School's recent production of Once on This Island brought all the color and music of the Caribbean to Cincinnati.

CAPPIES

The Greater Cincinnati chapter of Cappies, or Critics and Awards Program, is in its third season, with students writing reviews of other high schools' productions. Today, La Salle High School's "Once on this Island." For more information and show schedules, see www.cappies.com

"Storytellers step into different roles as the story builds. The opening song "We Dance" incorporated all 76 members of the ensemble. The number drew the audience into the mythical world of the Beaux Hommes, the wealthy owners of the island, and the peasants, who are more in tune to the native gods.

Ti Moune (Cora Moore), a peasant girl, falls in love with Daniel (Alex Butscha), the son of a wealthy landowner. As their impossible love grows, they are forced to challenge family, society and even the power of the gods.

Moore played a naÔve innocent who allowed her heart to guide her. Moore's gorgeous voice evoked the simple innocence of a child.

Agwe (Dusty Wolf), the god of water; Asaka (Maria Aielli) , the goddess of the earth; Papa Ge (Jerome Doerger), the god of death; and Erzulie (Susie Metz , the goddess of love, presided over the lives of the mortals.

Cora Moore plays Ti Moune and Alex Butscha plays Daniel in Once on This Island. (Ernest Coleman photo)

Metz used gentle facial expressions to encourage the young lovers. Her fluid, maternal movement was countered by the bombastic Papa Ge. As the god of death, Doerger was constantly shifting his eyes and smugly sneering, creating a diabolical character with a powerful voice.

The production was completely student-driven with student directors Jake Eagle, Bryan Weigel and Andy Schoenling taking on the challenge. The choreography created by students Ashley Austin and Doerger, captured the Caribbean flavor.

Dan White organized the set construction, bringing the beaches, huts and mansions of the French Antilles into the La Salle gym. The tech crew, directed by Brian Ante and Ben Bedinghaus, created fire balls and flashing skulls for Papa Ge's entrance and a massive volcano. The lighting crew brought to life the beautiful glow of a Caribbean beach.

Matt Borths,

St. Xavier High School

LOCAL SOLDIER IS HOSTAGE
Hope eases horror for community
Area's mood turns hopeful
POW status could be a good thing
• Enquirer editorial: Prayers for Private Maupin
• Photos: A family, and a community, react
• Video coverage from WCPO

ENQUIRER COLUMNS
Holocaust events look at prejudice
Job fits her like a tailored suit

TOP LOCAL HEADLINES
County: Pay up, or walk
E-check relief depends on area
Suit threatened over Fernald waste
Freedom Center sets debut date
Focus: uninsured
Trial over, Norwood waits
Former Springboro cop wants charges in '95 slaying dismissed
3-year-old dies of fire injuries
Norwood woman dies after being hit by van

KENTUCKY HEADLINES
Marine killed in Iraq was man of 'faith and dreams'
Stars align behind Clooney
Professor addresses Holocaust
Jail's trailer leaving soon
Tina Conner loses appeal in Patton case

EDUCATION HEADLINES
La Salle transforms gym into Caribbean island
Students dismayed at fund cut
Student charged with assault in beating on bus
Delhi kids promise to turn TV off for one week

NEIGHBORS HEADLINES
Residents seek to slow growth
Developer reassessing
Miami U. project: Appalachian music
College Hill intersection protection extended
Little League debuts today
Water tower must go
Ohio Supreme Court to convene in Batavia

LIVES REMEMBERED
Reds lose a fan, Helen Unger, 99
Sister Antonia Marie Vilt, wartime nurse