Angela
Polk, Kansas City, Kan., and Janae Hammond, daughter of Lorenzo and
Christina Hammond, Kansas City-North, share the role of Ti Moune,
in the Tony-nominated “Once On This Island,” playing at the Coterie
through Aug. 3. The Coterie production will be the world premiere
of the Theatre for Young Audience’s version of the original musical
with adaptations from composers Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.
Polk, who
lives most of the time in Los Angeles, is known in Kansas City for roles in
“Crowns” at the Unicorn and Coterie’s “Suessical.” Her degree in theater comes
from Spelman College. “Kansas City is home. I have learned from my roles here,”
she says. “Kansas City nurtures you as an actor. Now I am excited to tell this
story of light and dark skin colors and how reactions are shaped based on that.
I am thrilled with this art of storytelling. The audience will see and feel
the energy and the bonds of the cast.”
Janae plays
the role as a young girl while Polk takes the role as a young adult. “Once
On This Island” is described as a “calypso-flavored twist on the traditional
‘Little Mermaid’ tale set on a Caribbean island.” Central to the story are
four gods that the peasants believe rule their lives.
Janae just
finished up her fifth-grade year at English Landing Elementary in the Park
Hill School District and jumped straight into rehearsals for the Coterie Theatre’s
performance of “Once On This Island.” She has been in other Kansas City performances.
She has been in Starlight productions of “Annie,” “Jesus Christ Superstar”
and “The Wizard of Oz.” At Park Hill South, she played in “The King and I”
and for Ibsen Dance Theatre, she played Clara in “The Nutcracker.” “I like
acting. It is exciting and fun. You get to work with different people. I am
excited to see this show and how people respond to it.”
Polk says
she hopes the musical thrills younger audiences and proves the quality of Kansas
City shows to adults. Polk also reaches younger audiences with work for the
Boys & Girls Clubs, her Dream Girls group and school tours where she encourages
dreaming big and reaching for the stars. “I’m a dreamer. I know that I have
to go through the valleys to appreciate the hilltops. I want to be a role model
where my music inspires. I like to take the audience on a journey.” Polk is
currently working on an R&B album.
Nedra Dixon
directs “Once On This Island” with musical direction by Molly Jessup and choreography
by Tyrone Aiken, executive director of the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey.
The ensemble cast is Polk (Ti Moune), Brad Shaw (Agwe/costume designer), Damron
Armstrong (Tonton Julian/assistant director), Christopher Barksdale (Papa Ge/Gatekeeper);
Tony Bernal (Armand), Marina Dunlap (Erzulie), Pancho Villegas (Daniel), Areli
Gil (Mama Euralie), Jennie Greenberry (Andrea), Janae (Little Ti Moune)
and Bryonha Parham (Asaka). Musicians are Jessup (piano), Jeff Harshbarger
(bass) and Sam Wisman (percussion).
Tickets
are $14 for adults; $9 for all children, students and seniors age
60 and up; $8 for season ticket holders. Discounts are available
for groups of 20 or more. Tickets are available by calling the Coterie
box office (816) 474-6552 from 10 a.m. to 4 p. m. Monday through
Friday or online at www.coterietheatre.org.
