COME DOWN FROM THE TREE
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
Composer: Lyrics Lynne Ahrens, Music Stephen Flaherty
Production/Performer History: Broadway 1990, London 1994, Broadway 2017
Context: After a terrible storm, a young girl is scared to come down from the tree where she found sanctuary. Mama Euralie coaxes her down
Choice: Ahrens and Flaherty have written some amazing stuff (Ragtime, Anastasia) and some absolute dreck (Suessical, Rocky). Once On This Island is one of their earliest works and although this song was eventually cut from the show, it remains a beautiful stand alone song and a great audition piece. Good storytelling and lots of opportunities to make interesting acting choices.