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Once On This Island
Once On This Island

Disney+ to Adapt Once On This Island Musical Film Written by Jocelyn Bioh

Disney+ is adapting a film version of Once On This Island, originally written by Lynn Ahrens and composed by Stephen Flaherty, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Playwright Jocelyn Bioh, most well known for off-Broadway’s School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, is set to write the adaption of the award-winning musical. Wanuri Kahiu is on board to direct, Marc Platt will produce.

This upcoming adaptation will be shot as an actual film, different from the recently released Hamilton, which was shot as a recording of a live performance.

A timeline for the film will be announced at a later time.

“Once On This Island tells the story of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl who falls in love with a wealthy boy from the other side of the island. When their divided cultures threaten to keep them apart, Ti Moune sets out on a remarkable quest to reunite with the man who has captured her heart.”

The original production of Once On This Island opened on Broadway in 1990 where it ran for 469 performances. The musical features a score by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (AnastasiaRagtime) with a book by Ahrens. That production was directed and choreographed by Graciela Daniele. The musical was recently revived in 2017, this production won the Tony for Best Musical Revival.