The beloved musical, “South Pacific,” is making waves at the Ahmanson Theater through July 17. It is certainly worthy of a visit or revisit, as the case may be. This is a stellar production, with no holds barred. The sets, the cast, the costumes and the orchestra are all first rate. Many members of the audience left the theater humming and, perhaps, wiping tears from their eyes.
The glorious music and lyrics created by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein those many years ago are still memorable. The story, based on tales by James A. Michener, is sentimental but never banal. Although the setting brings back unpleasant memories of World War II, there is a zesty good humor that pervades the three-hour masterpiece.
The cast is headed by Carmen Cusack as Nellie Forbush, an American nurse, and Rod Gilfry as Emile Le Becque, a French plantation owner. Despite their different backgrounds, the two fall in love. Who can resist the beauty of Le Becque’s wooing as he sings, “Some Enchanted Evening”? Gilfry, a handsome operatic baritone, delivers mightily in all his wonderful songs.
Cusack is delightful as the bouncy nurse who is “in love with a wonderful guy” and then “washes him right out of her hair.” She shows her gift for comedy in the rousing number, “Honey Bun,” abetted by an energetic Matthew Saldivar playing Luther Billis, the island entrepreneur.
The production numbers are a delight, especially, “There is nothing like a dame,” performed with so much gusto by the Seabees everyone would like to join in. The infamous Bloody Mary, who sells shrunken human heads, is hilarious as performed by Keala Settle. “Bali Ha’i” is most seductive in her rendition. Also giving an excellent performance is Anderson Davis as the lieutenant who falls in love with the island girl played by Sumie Maeda.
The sets by Michael Yeargan are wonderful, with the blue Pacific in the background and the scrims changing magically to show a beach, a plantation room or officers headquarters. The costumes are credited to Catherine Zuber who gets that ‘40s look just right.
Bartlett Sher is the director who brings to life this venerable musical that can never be dated. The live orchestra is conducted by Christopher Gattelli.
“South Pacific” is what musical theater is all about.