American Idol's Syesha Mercado to Star in Once On This Island at Paper Mill Playhouse

American Idol finalist Syesha Mercado will star in Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens’ musical Once On This Island at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse. Directed by Thomas Kail and featuring choreography by Bradley Rapier, the production begins its run May 30 through June 24, with opening night set for June 3. No further casting has been announced.

Once On This Island tells the story of Ti Moune (Mercado), a peasant girl who rescues and falls in love with Daniel, a wealthy boy from the other side of her island. When Daniel is returned to his people, the fantastical gods who rule the island guide Ti Moune on a quest to test the strength of her love against the powerful forces of prejudice, hatred and death.

Mercado placed third in the 2008 edition of American Idol, behind David Cook and David Archuleta. In 2009 Mercado landed the lead role of Deena Jones in the national tour of Dreamgirls. Mercado is the latest in a long line of American Idol contestants to make the transition to musical theater, joining Rock of Ages’ Tony-nominated star Constantine Maroulis, Clay Aiken (Spamalot), Ruben Studdard (Ain’t Misbehavin’), Fantasia Barrino (The Color Purple), Taylor Hicks and Ace Young (Grease), Diana DeGarmo (Hairspray), Tamyra Gray (Rent, Bombay Dreams), Frenchie Davis (Rent, Ain’t Misbehavin’) and Anthony Federov (The Fantasticks).

Once On This Island, an adaptation of the popular Disney fairy tale The Little Mermaid, garnered eight 1991 Tony nominations, including Best Musical, Book and Score. The West End production opened in 1994, where it won the 1995 Olivier Award for Best New Musical