Photos provided by Joan Marcus

In the heart of a Chicago winter, any musical with a tropical setting has instant appeal, and while “Once On This Island” encompassed a lot more than merely desirable climates, it undoubtedly cast a cozy spell over the Cadillac Palace Theatre on opening night.

Beyond the imaginative and inviting set that managed to make room for several attendees on the stage itself, this 2018 Tony Award winner for “Best Revival Of A Musical” sure did boast the songs and voices from a committed cast as they stepped around superstitions and attempted to battle curses cast by the gods.

Lead character Ti Moune (the contagiously courageous Courtnee Carter) is the bravest of them all as a sole flood survivor, who may be a mere peasant, but has a fearless passion to conquer any challenge (or social class) that comes in her way.

She has the chance to rise to that very occasion when a wealthy young man named Daniel (the suave Tyler Hardwick) gets in a brutal car crash on that same Caribbean island, though rather than leave him to die by the side of the road, gradually nurses him back to health in spite of immeasurable odds.

Though he becomes healthy enough to return home to the palatial Beauxhomme Hotel and the pair parts company, it quickly propels Ti Moune to mount a lengthy reconnection quest and slyly finesse her way beyond those extremely exclusive gates.

It’s behind those walls where ideas of social prejudice, forbidden love and submitting to tradition reach a boiling point, which coupled with some supernatural complications, send the otherwise sizzling tale towards a chilly stalemate.

The ending is just as unexpected as everyone’s odds at the beginning, ensuring the 90 straight minutes keep “Once On This Island” steadily flowing as it grants a break from the seasonal blues, even if it winds up being bittersweet.

“Once On This Island” continues at the Cadillac Palace Theatre through Feb. 2. For additional details, visit OnceOnThisIsland.com and BroadwayInChicago.com.

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