Photo by Michael Lamont
‘South Pacific’ is a musical that premiered in 1949 on Broadway. Richard Rodgers composed the music, Oscar Hammerstein II wrote the lyrics and the book along with Joshua Logan. It was definitely a progressive musical at the time as it took on an issue we still find ourselves dealing with today…racism.
The plot centers on an American nurse, Nellie Forbush (the wonderful Stephanie Renee Wall) stationed on a South Pacific island during World War II who falls in love with a middle aged expatriate French plantation owner, Emile de Becque (the excellent John Cudia) but her inability to accept his two children by his first wife, a dark skinned Polynesian woman now deceased causes her to end their relationship.
Prejudice is a running theme throughout ‘South Pacific.’
A young Marine Lieutenant, Joseph Cable (Matt Rosell) falls in love with a Polynesian girl, the daughter of Bloody Mary (Jodi Kimora) but he cannot marry her and expresses the reason why in one of the most powerful and beautiful songs of the show (‘You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught’)
The production choreographed by Peggy Hickey and directed by Glenn Casale is absolutely fabulous. The performers, including the sensational and extremely funny, Jeff Skowron who plays Seabee, Luther Billis and the aforementioned Jodi Kimora (Bloody Mary) are all fantastic.
With their great vocals, the cast brings the incredible songs of Rogers and Hammerstein to life in the best possible of ways. I’m sure you’ll be singing along. I know I was.
‘South Pacific’ at the La Mirada Theatre located at 14900 LaMirada Blvd, La Mirada CA 90638 plays Wednesday to Thursday at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. It runs till May 13, 2018.
To purchase tickets call 714-994-6310 or go to boxoffice@lamiradatheatre.com. Tickets are: $20-$70.
