Disney+ working on Once On This Island film adaption

Disney is reportedly working on a screen adaption of Once On This Island.

A film version of the Tony and Olivier Award winning musical is apparently being developed for the company’s streaming platform, Disney+.

The Hollywood Reporter say that playwright Jocelyn Bioh and director Wanuri Kahiu are working together on the adaption which will be produced by Marc Platt (Wicked, Legally Blonde, La La Land).

Unlike the recent release of Hamilton on Disney+, Once On This Island will take the form of a traditional live action movie rather than a Broadway recording.

There’s currently no word on casting or a potential release date.

Once On This Island is a one-act musical with a book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty.

Based on the 1985 novel My Love, My Love; or, The Peasant Girl by Rosa Guy, it’s set in the French Antilles and tells the story of a peasant girl who falls in love with a wealthy boy after rescuing him.

The show held is premiere on Broadway in 1990 before a West End production debuted in 1995.

More recently, a 2017 Broadway revival received critical acclaim and won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

Picture credit: Joan Marcus, Broadway revival cast featuring Alex Newell.

About the author: Rachel Wise

UK based freelancer journalist Rachel contributes regularly to Stageberry with features and interviews from the hottest new shows and stage stars.

 

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