An Enchanted Evening with South Pacific

Lincoln Center Theater

            On some enchanted evening, you find a musical that simply steals your heart. Its story touches upon the harsh truths of today’s society and yet it offers the hope that people can change and that true love is possible. Its music moves you emotionally to the extent that you leave the theatre singing “If you’ll excuse an expression I use. I’m in love. I’m in love. I’m in love.” This is the magic of South Pacific.

            The charm of this wonderfully enchanting musical comes from its cast – an extraordinary group of actors who can do it all – act, sing, and dance. Kelli O’Hara sparkles as Nellie Forbush, the naïve, small-town girl from Little Rock, Arkansas, who comes to the South Pacific as a nurse during World War II and falls in love with a mysterious Frenchman living on the island. With a tremendous voice and a lively personality, Ms. O’Hara wonderfully dramatizes all the emotional climaxes – love, racism, fear – that Nellie experiences throughout the musical. The mysterious Frenchman, Emile de Becque is portrayed by the spectacular Paulo Szot, who, with his baritone voice, is the epitome of a gentleman. While the complex drama of finding true love unfolds on the center stage, Danny Burnstein provides entertaining comic relief as the mischievous Seabee Luther Billis.

            The music in the show further aids in creating the enchanting and dream-like setting for this story. Rodger and Hammerstein’s legendary music is showcases the major themes present in the musical. “Some Enchanted Evening” and “A Wonderful Guy” emphasize the consequences of true love, while “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught” highlights the causes of racism. The lively and spirited musical numbers make this musical a story about true love, but the dark undertone of the war is always present.

            South Pacific is a wonderfully pleasant musical that tells a story of true love, which can overcome even the hardships of war and of society’s prejudices. The talented cast and the spectacular music of this show make it truly enchanting.