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South Pacific
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II are the epitome of classic musical theatre. They wrote and composed countless plays 
including Oklahoma, The King and I, Cinderella, and The Sound of Music. Among their most popular works is South Pacific, based on a book written by James Michener (the same author of The Source, Hawaii, Alaska, and more). Directed and staged by Charles Repole, the Queens College Drama, Theatre, & Dance Department, as well as the Aaron Copland School of Music, performed a “concert musical” adaptation.
My interpretation of a concert musical is one that puts more focus on the musical talent of the pit orchestra and actors, more so than the story and set. Sometimes, the entire production will simply be performances of important songs from the original, but very often the actors still follow the script in some manner. Starring George Dvorsky (Emile) and Siri Howard (Nellie), guests artists who also happen to be Broadway actors, the QC production was more of the latter. The set reminded one of the forested wilderness of South Pacific islands, and the costumes were ’40s and Navy inspired as the story takes place during World War II.
Like many classic musicals, it is the music, not the story, that makes the show. Though there are important underlying themes throughout, such as the issue of racism and war, you simply come out of the theatre singing catchy songs like Bali Ha’i, I’m In Love With a Wonderful Guy, and I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair. There are countless other melodic tunes, but too many to list! The plot follows a young, American nurse (Nellie) who is stationed in the South Pacific with a bunch of Navy men. She meets Emile de Beque, an older Frenchman who owns a large plantation on the island. Like any musical, they fall immediately in love. She isn’t even fazed when he admits to having murdered a man in his past! There are side stories focusing on other people on the island, but none of their plot lines are interesting enough to note. That being said, Kevin Schwab stole the show in his comedic role as Luther Billis, a man who wanted nothing more than to dance with Polynesian women wearing grass skirts!
As usual in Queens College performances, the talent was phenomenal. The entire production was definitely lifted up a notch with the inclusion of the Broadway actors who helped keep the rest of the cast on its A-game. Being a collaboration between two departments, there were some fabulous voices, most notably Jin-Xiang Yu (Bloody Mary) who also played a leading role in last year’s A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. The full pit orchestra under the direction of Tong Chen had the audience swaying in their seats to the melodious music for the full two hours.
South Pacific
Goldstein Theatre
November 9, 2013
Marina B. Nebro