Since "Once on This Island" centers around a love story and human companionship, it's fitting the actors performing Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre's latest production have bonded well with each other.

"All the actors and actresses are from around the nation, but we had an instant connection," said Gabe Lawson, who performs the lead male role. "It's fun, the cast feels like a family."

The musical opened Thursday evening, the first of eight performances scheduled to run through July 31 on stage at North Idaho College's Schuler Performing Arts Center.

The show is touted as "a calypso flavored re-telling of the traditional 'Little Mermaid' tale," with a focus on the effects social class divisions have on love.

"It's really a spectacular cast and an amazing show," said play director Roger Welch. "We have some national caliber talent for this production."

Welch, also Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre's longtime artistic director, says people will be pleasantly surprised by this show.

"No one has seen anything like this," Welch said. "This particular show has never been produced here, and it's a very unique, great play."

The story revolves around Ti, a peasant girl played by Oyoyo Bonner, and Lawson's character, Daniel Beauxhomme, an upper class city boy.

Ti falls in love with Daniel after saving his life, but there are powerful forces that do not want them to be together.

"The music from this show is absolutely amazing and gives you chills," Lawson said.

This will be Lawson's third production with Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre. A theater major at Texas Christian University, Lawson, 20, first decided he wanted to be an actor as a young child.

"I remember seeing 'Staurt Little' in the fourth grade, and seeing the actors performing on the stage and I knew I wanted to do that," Lawson said. "I just knew after that play that I needed to be on that stage."

Lawson performs with a professional theater company in Fort Worth, Texas.

Three performances are scheduled this weekend - tonight and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Next week's showtimes are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.

Ticket prices are $39.95 for adults, $35.95 for seniors and $25.95 for kids. Group rates are available by calling in advance.

Info: 769-7780 or www.cdasummertheatre.com