Rodgers and Hammerstein, the dynamic American songwriting and Broadway musical duo, has been collaborating since the 1940s. Most known for
The King and I, The Sound of Music and Oklahoma!, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II also produced the successful musical
South Pacific.
Bringing Paradise to America
South Pacific was first produced on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre in 1949 with a book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan, and based on the Pulitzer-Prize winning novel,
Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener. The 1949 production ran for more than five years and pleased audiences for over 1,000 performances.
South Pacific has been a box office hit since its inception and has spawned films, revivals, and tours, winning practically every dramatic theater accolade.
South Pacific is back on Broadway and exciting audiences all over again.
South Pacific is a gem of a musical production that appeals to all types of theater goers. In 2005, a 2-hour concert version of South Pacific was shown live at Carnegie Hall and telecast by PBS in 2006. The concert version of
South Pacific starred Reba McEntire, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Lillias White and Alec Baldwin.
Tropical Love
In April 2008,
South Pacific began its revival back to New York City's Broadway.
South Pacific is currently featured in the 1,080-seat Vivian Beaumont Theatre, located within Manhattan's Lincoln Center.
South Pacific is a classic love story set in the tropics during World War II. It tells the dramatic tale of an American nurse and American lieutenant and their interesting relationships with the natives of the exotic islands in which they are stationed.
Emile de Becque is a wealthy, middle-aged French planter who falls in love with Nellie Forbush, an enchanting American nurse. An attraction forms, and the rich planter asks for her hand in marriage. The Navy and Lieutenant Joseph Cable, an American who is stationed in the South Pacific, induce Emile to form a coast watch on a near-by Japanese island. Because of his love for Nellie, he refuses. Once Nellie discovers that he has two mixed-race children, she is turned off and decides against marrying him. With Emile rejected, he joins the Navy and Lt. Cable on their reconnaissance mission. Lt. Cable also experiences prejudicial feelings by opposing marriage to Liat, the dark-skinned daughter of Blood Mary, the local philosopher and Tokinese trader.
After the battle, Lt. Cable is killed, but Emile survives. Nellie then begins to realize how ignorant her reaction to the racial makeup of Emile's children was, and she just wants him home safely. In the end, Nellie is waiting for Emile with his children in tow.
Musical Experience of South Pacific
South Pacific's remarkable musical score, with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, make for an exciting and amazing musical experience. Songs like "Bali Ha'i," "Some Enchanted Evening," "A Wonderful Guy" and "Younger Than Springtime" are well-known and popular titles from this multi-award winning production.
Along with the extraordinary score,
South Pacific's marvelous cast has had their own share of awards. In the Broadway production, Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara (Nellie Forbush) and Tony winner Paulo Szot (Emile de Becque) lead the cast. Tony Award nominee Matthew Morrison stars as Lieutenant Joseph Cable, and Tony Award nominee Loretta Ables Sayre plays Bloody Mary.
Since its 2008 revival,
South Pacific has already garnered seven Tony awards and has been performing for sold-out audiences. The excitement and thrill of
South Pacific has continued to impress audiences since its debut in 1949. The racial prejudices and the portrayal of the American military in foreign territory are relatable to even today's audiences.
South Pacific is a classic Broadway play with far-reaching roots. It has been touted as one of the greatest musicals and is one of the longest running and financially successful musicals.
South Pacific has toured the United States and United Kingdom and is now running in the Big Apple with no end in sight.