“Bob, could you review the opening night of “South Pacific” at The Skokie Theatre?
“I’ve seen it 1000 times (I never exaggerate) from NYC to Chicago and you want me to see it again?”
So, on September 6, I went to see the opening of “South Pacific” for the 1001th time, and I am glad that I did. I am, again, reminded why this show is in its 77th year, has received 10 Tonys and is one of only two musicals to receive a “Pulitzer Prize”.
This Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is the story of inter-racial romances with a World War Two backdrop. Emile, an expatriate Frenchman and Nellie, an American nurse, fall in love. There is a parallel romance between Lt. Joseph Cable and Bloody Mary’s young Asian daughter, Liat. Both Nellie and Lt. Cable are conflicted about developing a serious relationship because of Emile’s bi-racial child and Liat’s ethnicity.
“South Pacific’s” playlist is one iconic, memorable song after the other. It’s hard not to do a sing-along. The cast handled that just perfectly. Emile, played by Tony Calzaretta had a wonderful operatic voice, Nellie played by Willow Schneider, was loveable and had a voice to go with her charm and charisma. Lt Cable, played by Max Perkel had a smooth, easy to listen to voice. Mariel Saavedra, as Bloody Mary, added some great comic relief. Pat Henderson needs to get kudos for directing a relatively complex stage play on a small stage in a small theater.
I found two things quite amazing. The playwright(s) dealt so well with racial intolerance in the middle 1940’s when segregation and bigotry were the norm in the USA. I also found it amazing that a little neighborhood theater could produce such a complex musical. Thank you, Wendy Kaplan, for finding the people to make this all work.
The last scene is as “corny as Kansas in August” and trumps all the hate of the day against, the Germans, the Japanese and anyone who is not “pure” American… and it will be the scene that gets me back to see this show the 1002nd time. I love a happy ending.
“South Pacific” at the Skokie theatre in Skokie, is highly recommended.
“South Pacific” plays at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie, IL until Oct. 6th. See www.SkokieTheatre.org