Island Fever

Published on: 7/24/2012

My island experiences are Celtic flavored; first Prince Edwards Island (of Anne of Green Gables fame) and the second time, Ireland.  These two islands though not tropical in the typical sense are still beautiful, intriguing and mystical; although surprisingly, Ireland does have a tropical touch with some of its plants and trees.  Our time spent in both places was memorable.  If I had the opportunity I wouldn't hesitate to return nor would I mind living in either place.  We saw and experienced a lot during our stays; enough to whet my creative appetite and infect me just a bit with Island Fever.

Rachel Lyman Field's poem, If Once You Have Slept on an Island, sums it up:

If once you have slept on an island

You'll never be quite the same;

You may look as you looked the day before

And go by the same old name,

You may bustle about in street and shop

You may sit at home and sew,

But you'll see blue water and wheeling gulls

Wherever your feet may go.

You may chat with the neighbors of this and that

And close to your fire keep,

But you'll hear ship whistle and lighthouse bell

And tides beat through your sleep.

Oh! You won't know why and you can't say how

Such a change upon you came,

But once you've slept on an island,

You'll never be the same.

True!  I'd go back in a heartbeat. 

If you've never had the opportunity to sleep on an island, WCT is bringing an, "Island Celebration of Song, Dance, and Love!" to youOnce on This Island, Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Music by Stephen Flaherty, Directed by Joe Nolan and produced in partnership with SummerStage, is running July 27-29, 2012 at SummerStage, Lapham Peak State Park and August 3-19, 2012 at Waukesha Civic Theatre.

"Ti Moune is a peasant girl who rescues a wealthy boy, Daniel, offering her life in exchange for his to Papa Ge, the demon of death.  The gods who rule this island guide Ti Moune on a journey back to Daniel, who has returned to his family - and his arranged marriage.  Follow Ti Moune through a beautiful celebration of song and dance that proves love is stronger than prejudice and death."

Once on This Island has been nominated for eight Tony awards and is the winner of the Olivier Award for Best Musical.  In a unique collaboration WCT and SummerStage are presenting this incredible show in both venue locations.  If you really want to experience the show you can see it in both locations at a reduced price.

This lively cast and crew will make sure your own island experience is a memorable one.  Once on This Island, July 27-August 19, 2012 is a musical comedy that will whisk you away for awhile to a place where love breezes blow and where Ti Moune and Daniel's fate are in the hands of the gods who rule.  It's a summer Pix Fix you won't want to miss.  You may not be sleeping on this island, but you'll be glad you came - even should you, too, be infected with Island Fever!