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Austin360 blogs > Austin Arts: Seeing Things > Archives > 2011 > November > 10 > Entry
Review: ‘South Pacific’
A tropical breeze blows through Austin this week as the national tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical “South Pacific” hits Bass Concert Hall.
The show, based on the 2008 Tony Award-winning Lincoln Center Theater production, takes place on a Pacific island during World War II and focuses on two love stories affected by racial prejudice and cultural difference.
Ensign Nellie Forbush (Katie Reid), a nurse and self-proclaimed “hick” from Little Rock falls for a charming Frenchman, Emile de Becque (Marcelo Guzzo), but is troubled by his past relationship with a Polynesian woman. Meanwhile the handsome Lt. Joseph Cable (Shane Donovan) finds himself enamored with Liat (Hsin-Yu Liao), a young native islander, much to the delight of her calculating mother Bloody Mary (Cathy Foy-Mahi).
Watching “South Pacific” is like stepping into a vintage postcard of the tropics. The sumptuous set, designed by Michael Yeargan, evokes the lush landscape of the islands, while lighting designer Donald Holder creates enchanting sunsets that slowly fade from brilliant orange to hazy purple. From the girlish playfulness of Nellie’s “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair” to the high-energy sailor song “There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame,” the show’s music is infectious. When Guzzo, who has an opera background, sings “Some Enchanted Evening,” his rich and resonant voice fills the space.
When “South Pacific” debuted in 1949, it was timely and fresh. Now, the show has a decidedly nostalgic feel and traffics in some outdated stereotypes about “natives.” Still, the production charms with its gorgeous design, strong vocal performances, and memorable melodies.
‘South Pacific’ continues 8 p.m. today, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Bass Concert Hall, UT campus. www.texasperformingarts.org
Claire Canavan is an American-Statesman freelance arts critic.
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