south pacific
There was much excitement about the reappearance of the classic musical, “South Pacific”. One may wonder why a show from so long ago would be popular in this day and age. Young and old flocked to Lincoln Center to watch this show. More than just the catchy tunes must be attracting viewers to the show sixty years later.
The scenery designed for the musical displayed skillful craftsmanship. This skill was portrayed in the scene with the captivating blue waves with islands in the distance, which created a realistic impression. The props and costumes could have used a little more oomph. The way the actors coordinate the changing of the scenes without the aid of a curtain is unique.
The musical depicts natives who have been living on islands in the South Pacific with no intruders for hundreds of years. Suddenly they find white naval officers, seabies, marines, and nurses living among them. The military men are restless because the fighting has not yet begun.
Nurse Nellie Forbush, a young woman from Little Rock, Arkansas, meets a handsome Frenchman named Emile De Becque and immediately falls in love with him. He is a man with a confusing and unexplainable past. Nellie knows something is odd about his being the only white man on the island, but she cannot figure out what it is. She finally discovers his secret and has to make a decision whether to wed or run away. The actress who plays Nellie sings with a captivating voice, and portrays her emotions is a genuine manner.
“Ain’t nothin’ like a dame!” is a song to which all the seabies dance passionately, their desperation palpable. This tremendous yen for the opposite sex causes Joe Cable, a young, handsome lieutenant, to get involved with Liat, the beautiful daughter of Bloody Mary. At first glance, Bloody Mary seems like a babbling fool who is just trying to sell grass skirts, however as the plot thickens, it is clear that she is attempting to improve her daughter’s life. In James Michener’s novel , Tales of the South Pacific, Joe Cable seems more invested in his relationship with Liat than the way the relationship is portrayed on stage. They spend much more time together, and they even dream of having a baby.
Although the musical was written sixty plus years ago, I did not feel as though I was watching something dated. Rather, universal themes with significance to all time periods are presented. Racism and love are pertinent to all generations. When the musical first came out, it was unusual for a show to have a message. People went to the theatre to enjoy light entertainment, not to think about social issues. South Pacific débuted at a time when shows were mostly frivolous. This suggests that perhaps the playwright intended for it to be enjoyed for decades to come.
