The music of Rodgers and Hammerstein returns to The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre with its spring production of the classic South Pacific. Without question, the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, II was one of the biggest influences on the evolution of musical theatre of all time. They were the first to use music and lyrics to further the story of their shows, in addition to the dialogue and non-musical scenes. It was revolutionary for the time, and now is the standard. Rodgers and Hammerstein could very easily be called the fathers of the modern musical.
Their greatest shows having been written over a half century ago, still hold places in our culture, our hearts, and our minds to this day. Those who would never consider themselves theatre-lovers know of one of this pair's musicals even if they may not actually know who wrote it. Rodgers and Hammerstein have been influencing generations since their first show together which opened on Broadway in 1943. That show did not open with a huge production number, but rather a lone cowboy whistling a tune as he wondered onto the stage. The show was Oklahoma! and it marked the beginning of the Era of Rodgers and Hammerstein on Broadway.
Nearly seventy years later, Rodgers and Hammerstein's musicals are still thrilling audiences. The last Rodgers and Hammerstein musical to appear on Way Off Broadway's stage was The Sound of Music during the 2008 Season. Three years later, it was decided that it was time for South Pacific to make its way to the theatre's stage.
When Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific opens at The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre on Friday evening, April 1st, it will be the first time the classic has been produced by the theatre.
Including the musical in one of Way Off Broadway's seasons had been discussed many times over many years. It was with the recent Lincoln Center Theatre revival of the show, with a more revamped and revitalized feel to it, that made WOB's Executive Producer, Bill Kiska, say it was time for South Pacific to take its first bow at the theatre.
Set in an island paradise during World War II, two parallel love stories are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. Nellie Forbush, a spunky nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with a mature French planter, Emile. Nellie learns that the mother of his children was an island native and, unable to turn her back on the prejudices with which she was raised, refuses Emile's proposal of marriage. Meanwhile, the strapping Lt. Joe Cable denies himself the fulfillment of a future with an innocent Tonkinese girl with whom he's fallen in love out of the same fears that haunt Nellie. When Emile is recruited to accompany Joe on a dangerous mission, Nellie realizes that life is too short not to seize her own chance for happiness, thus confronting and conquering her prejudices.
Next to The Sound of Music, South Pacific is arguably Rodgers and Hammerstein's most popular work together. The original Broadway production opened on April 7, 1949 and ran for over 1,900 performances. However, after the show closed five years later in in 1954, there would not be a full revival of the show until 2008. The original production, won 10 Tony Awards; winning in each category it was nominated, including Best Musical. It is also the only show to ever win all four Tony Awards for acting (Best Actor, Actress, Featured Actor, and Featured Actress). The 2008 production took home another seven Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical.
In 2005, Carnegie Hall presented a staged concert version with a star-studded cast lead by Reba McEntire as Nellie Forbush, Brian Stokes Mitchell as Emile de Becque, and Alec Baldwin as Luther Billis. Throughout its history, stars like Mary Martin, Cloris Leachman, Florence Henderson, Glenn Close, Kelli O'Hara, and Laura Osnes have all played the role of the show's leading lady, Nellie Forbush.
