Interview With Once On This Island’s JAHMAUL BAKARE

Interview With <em>Once On This Island's</em> JAHMAUL BAKARE 1 Cast members from the 2017 Broadway revival of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND will lead the touring company, including “American Idol” Alum Tamyra Gray as Papa Ge, Cassondra James as Erzulie, Tony Nominee Phillip Boykin as Tonton Julian, Courtnee Carter as Ti Moune and Tyler Hardwick as Daniel Beauxhomme. Completing the gods of the island are Jahmaul Bakare as Agwe and Kyle Ramar Freeman as Asaka.

Chicago native JAMHAUL BAKARE on playing Agwe in the National Tour of Once On This Island and the important message of the power of community that the revival represents.  Winner of the 2018 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND will play Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph) for a limited two-week engagement from January 21 – February 2, 2020. Visit BroadwayinChicago.com for tickets and more information.

Jahmaul was born to Nigerian parents in Chicago where he began acting with Congo Theater Company. Mr. Bakare received his Bachelors of Arts degree from Morehouse College and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.

Mr. Bakare is thrilled to make his National Broadway Tour debut and tell this magnificent story with the Once on This Island family. Other credits include: Regional: Violet (Flick – Ovation Nominee for Best Actor), Les Misérables (Enjorlas), My Fair Lady (Freddy), Into the Woods (Cinderella’s Prince/ Wolf). Bakare thanks his family for infinite support.

ABOUT ONCE ON THIS ISLAND

Winner of the 2018 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND is the sweeping, universal tale of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl in search of her place in the world and ready to risk it all for love. Guided by the mighty island gods, Ti Moune sets out on a remarkable journey to reunite with the man who has captured her heart.

Cast members from the 2017 Broadway revival of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND will lead the touring company, including “American Idol” Alum Tamyra Gray as Papa Ge, Cassondra James as Erzulie, Tony Nominee Phillip Boykin as Tonton Julian, Courtnee Carter as Ti Moune and Tyler Hardwick as Daniel Beauxhomme. Completing the gods of the island are Jahmaul Bakare as Agwe and Kyle Ramar Freeman as Asaka.

Casting also includes Briana Brooks as Andrea, George L. Brown as Armand and Danielle Lee Greaves as Mama Euralie, along with Mckynleigh Alden Abraham, Michael Ivan Carrier, Jay Donnell, Phyre Hawkins, Savannah Jackson-Page, Alex Joseph Grayson, Tatiana Lofton and Robert Zelaya. Additional casting to be announced at a later date.

This new production is led by two-time Tony Award nominated director Michael Arden (Spring Awakening revival) and acclaimed choreographer Camille A. Brown (NBC’s “Jesus Christ Superstar Live”). The creative team also includes Dane Laffrey (scenic designer), Clint Ramos (costume designer), Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer (lighting designers), Peter Hylenski (sound designer), John Bertles/Bash the Trash (unusual instruments), Cookie Jordan (hair/wig and makeup designer), Chris Fenwick (music supervisor), Alvin Hough,Jr. (music director), David Perlow (associate director), Nikki M. James (assistant director), Rickey Tripp (associate choreographer) and Telsey + Co / Craig Burns, CSA (casting agent).

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND premiered at Playwrights Horizons in May of 1990. The Broadway production opened in October of that year garnering eight Tony nominations including Best Featured Actress (LaChanze), Best Original Score, Best Book of a Musical and Best Musical. The 1994 West End production won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. The revival opened in December of 2017 at Circle in the Square Theatre and would go on to earn nine Tony nominations winning Best Revival of a Musical.

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets for ONCE ON THIS ISLAND range in price from $25 – $99.50 with a select number of premium tickets available. Individual tickets will be available by calling the Broadway In Chicago Ticketline at (800) 775-2000 or visit BroadwayInChicago.com.

Be a Part of the Magic – ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Onstage Seating offers a unique opportunity to experience the story of Ti Moune and join the world of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. Onstage seats are $25. More details here.  

ABOUT BROADWAY IN CHICAGO
Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 19 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country.  A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining more than 1.7 million people annually in five theatres.  Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, Cadillac Palace Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at the Auditorium Theatre.