Totem Pole Playhouse presents “South Pacific,” a musical theater classic boasting heavy-hitter talent and a memorable score, from July 31 to Aug. 16. Theater-goers can buy tickets now and prepare to be transported to an enduring tale of love, war and cultural divide.
Production history and storyline
“South Pacific” premiered on Broadway in 1949, the fourth major collaboration of composer, Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II (together, Rodgers and Hammerstein), joined by co-writer Joshua Logan. The production was inspired by James A. Michener’s Pulitzer prize-winning “Tales of the South Pacific,” a collection of short stories from Michener’s personal recollections and relationships through his service as a U.S. Navy lieutenant on the Pacific front in World War II. Unlike their musical theater predecessors, favoring light-hearted star vehicles, Rodgers and Hammerstein used large casts filled with complex characters to confront societal issues.
“South Pacific” centers around two sets of sea-crossed lovers meeting through a U.S. military outpost on a small Polynesian island. Ensign Nellie Forbush, a Navy nurse from Little Rock, Arkansas, is swept off her feet by a French expat and plantation owner, Emile de Becque. Emile secretly solo-parents his two half-Polynesian children, Ngana and Jerome, whose mother died. Meanwhile, Marine Lt. Joseph Cable falls for the beautiful young Tonkinese woman, Liat, whose introduction is facilitated by her mother and the show’s comic relief, Bloody Mary.
With Loving v. Virginia not legalizing interracial marriage until 1967, Rodgers and Hammerstein earned praise for their courageous confrontation of racism but also widespread opposition in parts of the Deep South, where some legislators claimed the piece communist-inspired.
Totem Pole’s production
Stepping into Totem Pole’s historic summer stock theater feels like stepping back in time, in the best way possible. Everyone appears to know everyone, so when director Ryan Gibbs entered in a tropical button-down, it felt less like a formal welcome and more like a good friend (or the fun uncle) sharing exciting gossip on next year’s promising season.
The curtain rises and young Ngana (alternating between Aurora Esiel and Holland Patterson) and Jerome (Troyli Fan Santiago and Theo Santiago) playfully make their entrance with the French tune “Dites-Moi” (“Tell Me Why”) and an innocent game of hide and seek. They are shooed away by the dutiful butler, Henry (Derek Alexander), dropping us right into the budding romance between Nellie (Amy Decker) and Emile (Spencer Plachy). Their dynamic feels a bit awkward at first, but after sharing a drink of liquid courage, inhibitions walk out the door, the pair loosens up, and you feel a tangible spark. Decker, a veteran to the Totem Pole stage, brings 110 percent energy and soaring Broadway vocals, while Plachy counters with a rich, resonant, classically-trained baritone.
From there, we are jolted into the American Seabee camp with dynamite choreography in “Bloody Mary” (and subsequent numbers), as seamen pine over the island’s female shortage. Among this pack of goofy soldiers, Dylan Loraw is an exceptional dancer, while Gabriel Hobbs’ Stewpot gives a booming bass solo. Caitlin Burke owns the comedic humor of Bloody Mary, yet she also sends chills with “Bali Ha’i”, the siren song of a distant, alluring island home to beautiful native women just out of reach.
Supporting Nellie’s narrative, the bombshell babes of the ensemble make “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” feel like an afternoon chatting and laughing with your own girlfriends. The full, animated ensemble brings much-needed levity to balance the show’s heavier themes.
Costuming is spirited, colorful, and diverse, thoughtfully tailored to compliment every body type. Scene transitions are seamless, while the shifting island landscape backdrop throughout the day heightens intensity of the production’s most passionate moments.
Takeaways
At first, it can be difficult to buy into the love stories. Nellie and Emile have only known each other a few short weeks before marriage enters conversation. Bloody Mary proposes the pairing of Liat (Riri Kuroki) and Cable (Sage Spiker) even sooner, and the two communicate almost entirely through body language. Yet audiences are encouraged to go back in time and recall the first time that someone made the earth stop for them – the butterflies, heart bursting out of one’s chest, and belief that something magical had begun.
As most of us know, however, these dreams are more often shattered by the realities of our chosen mate. Rodgers and Hammerstein craft beloved characters through Nellie and Cable, yet their images are tainted by bigotry. Spiker’s powerful delivery of “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught” illustrates his character’s self-contempt for the racist views instilled in his upbringing. Long after its premiere, the song continues to drive home the tremendous responsibility of what we teach our children.
Readers may visit totempoleplayhouse.org or call the box office at 717-352-2164 to discover whether love or war conquers. Address: 9555 Golf Course Road, Fayetteville.
– by Claire Martin, special to LocalNews1.org
Full billing (provided by Totem Pole Playhouse):
Leading the cast as Nellie Forbush is Amy Decker, whose credits include the National Tour of The Phantom of the Opera. Starring opposite her as Emile de Becque is Spencer Plachy, whose career includes Broadway’s The Mystery of Edwin Drood and the National Tour of The Lion King. The company also features Caitlin Burke as Bloody Mary (National Tour: The Sound of Music), Riri Kuroki as Liat (Penn State), Dennis Setteducati as Luther Billis (National Tour: The Drowsy Chaperone and content creator with Crafty Lumberjacks), John Vessels as Captain Brackett (National Tour: Snoopy), Luke Reed as Commander Harbison (Shakespeare & Company), and Sage Spiker as Lt. Joseph Cable (Million Dollar Quartet aboard Norwegian Cruise Line).
Portraying the children, Ngana will be shared by Aurora Esiel and Holland Patterson, while Troyli Fan Santiago and Theo Santiago will alternate as Jerome.
The ensemble features Gabriel Hobbs as Stewpot (Gateway Theatre), Andrew Boza as Buzz Adams (National Tour: Fiddler on the Roof and Crafty Lumberjacks), Oren Korenblum (Off-Broadway: Sugar), Jackson Manning (Penn State), Isaac Walker (Servant Stage), Alex Moss (Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre), Adam Shank (Totem Pole Playhouse’s Jersey Boys), Michael Krikorian (Totem Pole Playhouse’s A Christmas Carol), Kelley Alejos (National Tour: The Great American Mousical), Jenn Reed as Dinah (Cruise Line productions), Madeline Falco (National Tour: Pete the Cat), Maria Albani (Totem Pole Playhouse’s 9 to 5), and Bailey Wennick (Totem Pole Playhouse’s Beautiful).
The production is directed by Ryan B. Gibbs, whose credits include the National Tour of RENT 20th Anniversary and numerous productions at Totem Pole Playhouse. Choreography is by Jenn Reed, whose work includes performances with Steps on Broadway NYC and cruise line productions. Music direction is by Darren Server, a Totem Pole favorite with more than 25 productions to his credit, alongside Associate Musical Director Steve Zumbrun, whose credits include the National Tour of A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline.
The creative team also includes Scenic and Video Designer Maggie Jackson (Forestburgh Playhouse), Lighting Designer Corey Goulden-Naitove (Million Dollar Quartet and A Christmas Carol at Totem Pole Playhouse), Sound Designer Kate Wecker (National Tour: Menopause the Musical), Props Designer Rachel Landon (Theatre Harrisburg), Production Stage Manager Bethany Sortman (Broadway: Chicago), Assistant Stage Manager Hope Rohrbaugh (National Tour: Pete the Cat), Costume Designer Elizabeth Angelozzi (Totem Pole Playhouse’s 9 to 5), Hair and Wig Designer Brandon Miller (National Tours of Memphis and Pippin), Intimacy Coordinator Gené Fouché (McDaniel College), and Associate Lighting and Video Designer Sam Sims (Fulton Theatre).
Bringing Rodgers & Hammerstein’s iconic score to life is a live orchestra featuring Darren Server (Keyboard 1), Steve Zumbrun (Keyboard 2), Aaron Patterson (Reeds), Mark Hartman (Violin), Silvia Perbetsky and Oliver Paris (French Horn), and Mark Gray (Drums).
SOUTH PACIFIC is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. www.concordtheatricals.com
Photo credits: Andy Smetzer Photography
