Cape Fear Regional Theatre's production of Once on This Island is a vibrant and heartfelt rendition of the Caribbean-infused musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty. It is a sort of retelling of the Hans Christian Anderson story of The Little Mermaid but with Haitian cultural flair. The show was Breon Arzell's directorial debut, although he has choreographed his production before. This adaptation brings to life the
story of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl who embarks on a journey to prove that love is more powerful than death.
The cast delivers compelling performances that resonate with authenticity and emotion of the overall storyline. The ensemble's energy is palpable, drawing the audience into the island's rich cultural tapestry through both music and dance. 
Here, Arzell wears both hats—as director and choreographer—with success. The choreography is dynamic and expressive, incorporating traditional dance elements that reflect the cultural setting of the story. The movement is not merely decorative but integral to the narrative.
Kendall Stewart's standout performance is portraying Ti Moune with captivating and poignant innocence and determination. Raquel Jennings, Gerard Williams, Dee Jones, and Myles McMillan also give standout performances as the four gods who are ever present throughout the story. McMillan was brilliant as the God of death.  
The cast and crew utilized their space effectively, with the set evoking the essence of a tropical island through minimalist yet evocative elements. The use of lighting and projections gives credence to the elements of a tropical island that sometimes has many storms, transitioning seamlessly between scenes and events and underscoring the emotional beats of the story. The simplicity of the set serves the production well,
allowing the focus to remain on the performances and storytelling.
The real showstopper in this production is the absolute beauty of the music woven throughout. The cast and crew bring the story alive with vibrant energy and precision through the music. The percussionists complement the cast's vocals, infusing the production with the rhythmic pulse of the Caribbean. 
Cape Fear Regional Theatre's Once on This Island is a testament to the power of storytelling through music and movement. The production successfully transports the audience to a world where love, fate, and the divine intersect, leaving a lasting impression with its heartfelt execution and cultural richness.