Tony winner Lea Salonga is set to return to Once On This Island this month as Destiny Child star Michelle Williams leaves the production after just two weeks. Salonga will reprise her role of Ezrulie from December 27 as Williams has been forced to leave on medical grounds. 

Salonga will stay with the production until it closes on January 6 with under-study Cassondra James stepping into the role from now to December 26. 

Williams joined the production on November 30, marking her return to Broadway following her performances in Aida, Chicago and the national tours of Fela and The Colour Purple. 

What is Once On This Island about?

Our story takes place on Haiti during the early 20th century, where the populace is heavily segregated between the darker-skinned peasants who struggle for a living, and the lighter-skinned rich people, descendants of the white plantation owners and their slaves. A young girl, Ti Moune (played by newcomer Hailey Kilgore) is swept away from her village by a sudden flash flood, and the island gods save her life, fore-telling that she has an important destiny.

Years later, and now a beautiful young woman, having been raised by a childless peasant couple, Ti Moune is yearning for adventure, and longs to be like the fairer-skinned rich folk who drive in fast cars on the island. Two of the gods use her as a pawn in a bet; what is more powerful, love or death?

In a scene reminiscent of The Little Mermaid, Ti Moune rescues a handsome light-skinned man from his crashed car during a flash flood storm orchestrated by the gods; desperate to keep him from dying, she makes a deal with Death: his life for her soul. What transpires is a heartbreaking journey of unrequited love, pain but ultimate redemption for everyone on the island.

Once On This Island is currently playing at the Circle in the Square Theatre through to January 6.