“South Pacific” - John W. Engeman Theater thru July 14
Reviewed by Jeb Ladouceur
When James Michener wrote ‘Tales of the South Pacific’ in 1947 it’s unlikely he ever dreamed his fictional treatise on racism would become one of the theater’s most beloved musicals. Not even the great Rogers and Hammerstein knew what magic they (along with Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza) had wrought until their 1949 audience at Broadway’s Majestic Theater roared their approval and Christened the show a smash.
;)
Hsin-Yu Liao (Liat); Amy Jo Phillips (Bloody Mary); Peter Carrier (Lt. Joe Cable). AnnMarie Snyder PhotoStill young at 65 and perhaps more timely than ever, “South Pacific” playing at Northport’s beautiful John W. Engeman Theater thru July 14, combines entwined love stories: principally that of “Nellie Forbush” a young Arkansas nurse, and worldly-wise Frenchman “Emile deBecque” … and the doomed romance between Marine Lt. “Joe Cable” and “Liat,” a beautiful young Tonkenese woman. Michener’s story (Joshua Logan famously participated with Hammerstein on the playbook) is told largely in now-classic songs like “Bali Ha’i”, “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair”, “Some Enchanted Evening”, “I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy”, and a dozen other, toe-tappers including my favorite showstopper: “There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame.”
;)
South Pacific rehearsal photoProducer Richard Dolce hasn’t spared the horses in mounting this lavish production; award winning Director Igor Goldin has been given a sterling cast to work with. Indeed, Rob Gallagher (Emile) has performed in that starring role on Broadway, and Kim Carson’s (Nellie) resumé sports a long list of legitimate theaters in New York and Philadelphia. Other veteran cast notables are David McDonald (Captain Brackett), Amy Jo Phillips (an outstanding Bloody Mary), and Peter Carrier (Lt. Cable). They’re all excellent.
And the twenty-two members of the ensemble are lively and entertaining, as well. Unfortunately, with a big cast like the one that will be performing at The Engeman during the next six weeks, it’s difficult to select a standout—even choosing first among equals from such a quality company is a chore. If pressed, we might give the nod to Matt Wood playing “Luther Billis” though on a given night, the bow might go to any one of his associates.
Of course, the play essentially belongs to “Emile” and “Nellie” and were Rob Gallagher and Kim Carson the only two actors on stage throughout the entire two-hour proceedings, this “South Pacific” would still be worth every penny of the $65-per price tag.
When I first saw the set, which consists largely of several five-foot-wide rows of horizontal wood strips suspended from above, (think gigantic Venetian blinds) I wondered how the layered see-through setup could possibly work. But 20 seconds into the show the cleverness of Josh Zangen’s functional creation became obvious. Enhanced by Cory Pattak’s entirely appropriate lighting, the set is simply wonderful.
This legendary show would be an abject failure if the sound were not spot-on. Thus we are in sound designer Craig Kaufman’s debt for delivering an aural gem. Thanks to the veteran of eleven Engeman productions, the lyrical voices of Gallagher and Carson, as well as James Olmstead’s unobtrusive music, come through as if originating in the seat next to us.
And speaking of seats, if there was an empty one in Northport’s John W. Engeman theater opening night, I didn’t see it. In this neighborly community where theater-savvy folks are quick to compare notes, I wouldn’t doubt if that proved to be the case for the show’s entire run. Word gets around.
Award-winning Smithtown author Jeb Ladouceur has published seven novels. His theater reviews appear in dozens of L. I. newspapers. In Ladouceur’s next thriller, “The Dealer” due this summer, Israeli extortionists threaten to destroy Hoover Dam demolishing the Las Vegas Strip - if casino operators don’t pay millions.