REVIEW: “South Pacific” at Goodspeed

Goodspeed Musicals had plans to open its 2020 season with South Pacific. The show was in production, cast, and about to begin rehearsals, when the pandemic shut it down. Four years later, South Pacific sails into Goodspeed, and it’s well worth the wait. People who revel in the golden age of the American musical will love South Pacific for its string of now popular songs, “Some Enchanted Evening”, “There is Nothing Like a Dame”, “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair”, all wrapped up in a solid story set in the lush and exotic South Pacific. Richard Rodgers’ music, Oscar Hammerstein II’s lyrics and book with Joshua Logan took James A. Michener’s powerful Pulitzer Prize winning book, and put together a romantic thoughtful musical that stands the test of time.

To me, having seen the show as a youngster, it’s amazing how fresh and modern South Pacific seems today. It may have been cutting edge in Post War America to do a musical about a romance between an all-American girl and a divorced French plantation owner. It must have been cutting edge for an American soldier to fall for a Polynesian woman. It must have been cutting edge to introduce a song, “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” which explores prejudice encased in a showtune. That song still hits home today, and in one melody and thoughtful lyric, teaches a lesson we need to remember in these trying times.

South Pacific tells the story of Nellie Forbush, “a cockeyed optimist”  (Danielle Wade) who is an American nurse stationed on a South Pacific base during World War II. She falls in love with Emile deBecque, a middle-aged French expatriate (Omar-Lopez Cepero), but she struggles to accept his mixed-race children. A secondary romance involves a U.S. Marine lieutenant (Cameron Loyal) and a young native woman, and  explores his fears of the social consequences should he marry his Asian sweetheart (Alex Humphreys) They’re all surrounded by exuberant nurses and sailors, colorful natives, and more. 

Chay Yew’s direction is focused, and Adam Souza’s music direction is spirited. Dan DeLange’s orchestrations bring out the best of Richard Rodgers. Alexander Dodge’s sets, particularly the Bali Hai island scene, are tropically lush. I really liked Junghyun Georgia Lee’s costumes. Amith Shandrashaker’s lights, and Jay Hilton’s sound. Parker Esse’s choreography is stunning, sometimes athletic, and always pleasing. The performances across the board are fine. Standouts for me were Joan Almedilla as islander entrepreneur Bloody Mary, Cameron Loyal as Cable, and Danielle Wade and Omar-Lopez Cepero, who swirl through emotions in “Some Enchanted Evening”.

South Pacific runs at Goodspeed through August 11. For details: www.goodspeed.org. 

Goodspeed Musicals presents South Pacific. Music by Richasd Rodgers. Lyrics by Oscasr Hammerstein II. Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan, adapted from James A.. Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific. Directed by Chay Yew. Music direction by Adam Souza. Choreography by Parker Esse. Scenic design by Alexander Dodge. Costume design by Junghyun Georgia Lee. Lighting design by Amith Shandrashaker. Sound design by Jay Hilton.  Through August 11. Goodspeed Musicals, East Haddam, CT. www.goodspeed.org.

Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and The Yale School of Drama. He has worked for arts organizations nationwide, and reported on the arts for print and broadcast. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat, Athenaeum Spotlight and On The Mark for WCPC15 and 89.5fm/WSKB. He’s a regular contributor to Pioneer Valley Radio and a member of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association.