There is absolutely no questioning that the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical SOUTH PACIFIC is an undying classic. I’ve heard it mentioned several times that the work is so strong and vibrant in its own right, it would require great effort to mess it up. I agree to a point; however, this musical is so remarkably well-know and highly regarded, woe be unto the producers and artistic team that doesn’t invest all the time and effort possible to get it right. And without question, the new Paper Mill Playhouse production of SOUTH PACIFIC, gets it right.
Director, Rob Ruggiero, wisely provides a smart, forthright production of the show, focusing on utilizing the talented cast to its full potential rather than putting unnecessary energy into dispensable glitz and glamor. Fans of the show will be pleased to see the beloved script left unscathed and perfectly executed, while newcomers will enjoy the fresh and clever presentation of the timely classic.
A seasoned cast has been assembled providing nothing less than flawless performances. There is always a risk in performing roles that are so renowned, and the Paper Mill cast clearly lives up to expectations. Broadway up-and-comer Erin Mackey as Ensign Nellie Forbush inexhaustibly recreates the beloved iconic role that so many have stepped into before. And she does so with grace and ease, offering up the wit and charm of Forbush’s southern cockeyed optimism and naivety together with a voice that can belt out the famous melodies rivaling any Broadway diva.
Mike McGowan convincingly takes on the role of the debonaire charmer Emile de Becque with a troubled past who seduces Nellie into a confusing tither. His alluring vocals are truly enchanting and bring a tear to the eye on several occasions. As Lt. Joe Cable, Doug Carpenter is genuinely impressive, especially as he belts the classic “Younger Than Springtime” and delivers the poignant “You’ve Got to be Taught,” that captures the show’s theme in a nutshell (and not without controversy at the show’s debut in 1949). Tony Award nominee Loretta Ables Sayer returns to the role of Bloody Mary (from the 2008 Lincoln Center Broadway revival) and once again charms us with her sarcastic wit and a rendition of “Bali H’ai” that stops the show. Michael Yeargan’s set designs are alluring and effective, letting us know where we are without distraction, while Catherine Zuber’s costumes complete the impression.
Sixty-five years since its Broadway opening, SOUTH PACIFIC is without question one of American theater’s most moving and notably blunt accounts of racial prejudice, and a stark reminder that the social issues facing society in the 1940’s are sadly not so far removed from us today.
Don’t miss this beautifully executed presentation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC at Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ. For more information and to purchase tickets call the box office at 973.376.4343 or visit their website at www.papermill.org.
