New York City Broadway Theater Guide

South Pacific

Broadway Musical

Previews  March 1 2008
Opened  April 3 2008
Closing  August 22 2010

Running Time  3 hrs | 1 intermission

Tickets  $75 to $125

Student Rush $20 day of performance tickets available | 2 hours before curtain | Box office only | 1 ticket per valid college or univeristy ID | Subject to availability | Subject to change

Prices do not include any taxes, service charges or other charges

Order at  Telecharge 212-239-6200 | Outside NY Metro Area 800-432-7250

Advisory Might not be appropriate for children under 8

Restrictions Children under 5 years of age not permitted

Performances

No Performances 

Added Performances 

Curtain Changes 

Producer

Lincoln Center Theater

Creative

James A Michener original novel
Oscar Hammerstein II & Joshua Logan book
Richard Rodgers music
Oscar Hammerstein II lyrics
Robert Russell Bennett orchestrations

Bartlett Sher director
Christopher Gattelli musical staging

Catherine Zuber costume design
Donald Holder lighting design
Michael Yeargan scenic design
Scott Lehrer sound design

Note Paulo Szot (Emile de Becque) takes a leave of absence from after the Jan 24th performance thru Mar 29th. William Michals performs as de Becque Jan 26th thru 31st. David Pittsinger picks up the role from Feb 2nd thru Mar 21st. Then it's Mr Michals again from Mar 23rd until Mr Szot's return on Mar 30th. Got that?

Synopsis

A lovely island in the South Pacific during World War II. US Sailors share the island with friendly natives and a passel of Navy Nurses. Has all the makings of a light-hearted, romantic comedy. In many cases it is; that's what makes it so enjoyable and memorable to audiences. However, this classic American musical, usually remembered for its toe-tapping tunes, actually explores deeper sides of the human condition: love, prejudice, hope, war, death

But let's keep it simple and light-hearted for now.

Ensign Nellie loves plantation owner Emile. Emile has a couple of kids Nellie doesn't know about. The enlisted sailors are lonely without women; nurses are officers and it's "Look, but don't touch." The only woman they might approach, islander Bloody Mary, might love Lieutenant Joe. Nellie has second thoughts about Emile. Bloody Mary introduces Lieutenant Joe to Liat. He thinks he likes. He later finds that she's Bloody Mary's daughter. He still likes her. It turns out that Nellie does love Emile, but not sure of his kids. Ooops, now Nellie doesn't love him anymore.

Lieutenant Joe is now not sure if he can marry Liat. Bloody Mary gets angry Of course! Nellie and the guys put on a show. Ooops, turns out that Luther is also a bit keen on Nellie. The guys go off to war. Somebody goes missing. Somebody dies. Somebody finally understands, as best one could, the human condition

Broadway Show History

It came as a bit of a surprise to us when we realized this was the first major Broadway revival of South Pacific since its original run ended about 55 years ago. Mary Martin, Ezio Pinza and Juanita Hall headed the cast that opened the show on Thursday evening, April 7, 1949, at the Majestic Theater. Little did they know they would be employed for the next five years as the production went on to a 1,925-performance run, closing at the Broadway Theater, where it transferred in June, 1953, on January 16, 1954

To say the show was successful would be most disingenuous as it basically dominated the 1950 Tonys®, winning the awards for best musical, producers, director, original score and libretto. In the acting category Ms Martin and Mr Pinza won for best actress and actor, and Junaita Hall and Myron McCormick were recognized as best featured actress and actor

Tidbit Cloris Leachman was Ms Martin's understudy and, as she's listed as a replacement, took to the boards for at least one performance

The City Center Light Opera Company staged a 15-performance run of South Pacific in May, 1955. Sandra Deel who played Ensign Janet MacGregor in the original production, now assumed the lead. A young Carol Lawrence appeared in the role of Liat

In the Movies

Joshua Logan directed the 1958 film version of South Pacific with Mitzi Gaynor, Rossano Brazzi, Ray Walston, Juanita Hall (reprising Bloody Mary from the stage) and France Nuyen heading up the cast. A 28-year-old Doug McClure (Trampas from The Virginians among many other television roles) played a "Pilot in Hospital." One tidbit that we've heard over the years is that -- of all people -- Ray Walston was the only actor whose singing voice was not dubbed in the film, including Rossano Brazzi's. It doesn't make much sense to us, so not quite sure of the veracity

Tony Award®, Tony®, the Tony Award® logo, and the Tony Award® medallion are registered trademarks of the American Theatre Wing