Show Synopsis:
A little girl frightened of a thunderstorm begins to hear the story of Ti Moune, who lived on the Jewel of the Antilles island in Haiti with the peasants, while the rich and powerful grandes hommes live on the other side of the island. The four gods of the island save the young Ti Moune during a massive flood, and she is taken in by Mama Euralie and Tonton Julian. The gods place a bet on what is stronger, love or death, using Ti Moune?s love as the subject. They crash the car of a grande homme named Daniel, and Ti Moune saves him and nurses him while he is unconscious. She falls in love with Daniel and offers her life in place of his when the gods summon him to death. Tonton finds Daniel?s family and Ti Moune follows after them to marry Daniel. They begin a romance, but Ti Moune discovers that Daniel is engaged to be married to Andrea. Pape Ge, the Demon of Death, tells Ti Moune if she kills Daniel, she can live, but she cannot do it. However, Daniel sees her with the knife and throws her out of his house. Daniel and Andrea are married, and when they process out of his family?s property, all he gives Ti Moune is a coin. Ti Moune drowns peacefully and is transformed into a tree, which becomes a celebration of life and love. This tree is where Daniel?s son meets a young peasant girl, and they learn the story of how a peasant girl helped bring together different social circles on the island. The young girl is no longer frightened of the storm.
Fun Facts:
1) This musical is based on the novel My Love, My Love by Rosa Guy, which was originally based on Hans Christian Andersen?s fairy tale ?The Little Mermaid.?
2) This song was actually cut from the show and has not been included in any Broadway productions, but has become well known from various recordings and concert performances.
3) This song was originally intended to be sung by Mama Euralie, Ti Moune?s adopted mother who cares for her very much and is frightened of the world outside of her day-to-day life.
"Come down from the tree.
?Just open your arms and trust.
?You know in your heart
?That one of these days you must.?Come down from the tree.
?It?s easy to feel afraid?
And hard giving up that safe little nest you've made.
When you have something so warm and familiar to cling to,?
Your arms won't let go?
You close your eyes to the dark, ?Press your nose to the bark
and hold on.
Yes, I know.
But down below
?Is where you must be
?And what you were meant to do,
?So hold out your hand?
And listen to someone who?
Was once in a tree like you.
La la la la la la la?
Ohhhhh?
Ahhhhhhhhhh
Soon you'll have someone so warm and familiar to cling to,?
And love ?til you die.
?When your heart knows
what it needs,?
You must go where it leads,
?Leave the nest, ?Learn to fly,
?And thats why I came down
from my tree.?
And all that I held so dear.?
When I found my love,?
The rest of my life was clear.?
Come down from your tree.?
Come down, ?I'm here."