Applause News Blog

I saw South Pacific this past Saturday's matinee performance. The owner of Applause Theatre Service was supposed to attend with his wife but had some other matter to attend to and I couldn't turn this opportunity down to see this classic musical. I have been looking forward to seeing South Pacific since I first heard it was finally returning to Broadway and I certainly was not disappointed.

I get a lot of ribbing from my coworkers who make fun of me because I told them of the time I first saw South Pacific with my cousin Johnny at his High School Production and was just blown away by the show, its music and his performance. He played the lead Emile (his performance helped in my interest and pursuit of being an actor!). The show and almost every song gave me the goosebumps and I teared up many times throughout the play (that is why they make fun of me!).

The music moves me even more now and the tears are still there! What classic numbers, each and every one of them. From Some Enchanted Evening, Younger Than Springtime, Bloody Mary, Bali Hai, This Nearly Was Mine, I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair and on and on. South Pacific is one of the most stunning sets and Broadway productions that I (and my manager Todd who attended with me), have ever seen. A postcard of the South Pacific! Every performer was wonderful with two standouts for me, Paulo Szot (as Emile de Becque) and Loretta Ables Sayre as Bloody Mary (Both Tony nominees in my book). She's a bit creepy but played wonderfully! He is sheer perfection, What a Voice!! Gypsy, has always been my favorite show but now after finally seeing this production of South Pacific, I think I may have to change my choice of shows. Don't get me wrong, this Gypsy with Patti LuPone is great and not to be missed, but if I had to choose Best Revival of a Musical at this years Tony Awards, South Pacific would win hands down.

This is sure to be a huge hit and tickets will be scarce because the critics are going to eat this production up. So order South Pacific tickets now by calling an Applause Expert, 800-451-9930 and get your seats to what is sure to be this seasons most difficult ticket. The theatre is great because it is not a very large house and the seats surround the stage so there is not a bad seat, grab anything you can to see Some Enchanted Evening!!

Bartlett Sher directs and Christopher Gattelli choreographs the new production starring Kelli O'Hara (as Nellie Forbush) and Paulo Szot (as Emile de Becque). Matthew Morrison, Danny Burstein, Li Jun Li and Loretta Ables Sayre also appear in the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan.

"Set on a tropical island during World War II," according to LCT, "the musical tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples — US Navy nurse Nellie Forbush & French plantation owner Emile de Becque and Navy Airman Joe Cable & a young local native girl Liat — and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of the war and by their own prejudices."
Above is a glimpse at the production!