SOUTH PACIFIC, by Rodgers & Hammerstein; Pioneer Theatre Company production; Lees Main Stage of the Roy W. and Elizabeth E. Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre building, University of Utah campus; continues Mondays-Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 & 8 p.m. through May 15. All seats reserved. Tickets range from $16 to $37. Box office: 581-6961. Group and student discounts available. Running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes (one intermission).
"If nobody's clappin', it ain't goin' good," Luther Billis comments backstage at the Thanksgiving Follies, when there's no applause for the weight-lifting act. But judging from the opening night response, Pioneer Theatre Company's mounting of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "South Pacific," celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, "went good" -- really good.Based on James A. Michener's "Tales of the South Pacific," the musical focuses on characters and incidents on two remote islands during World War II.
With guest-director Pamela Berlin's well-paced direction, George Maxwell's lush and exotic scenery, Hope Clarke's robust choreography and James Prigmore's finely tuned orchestra, this 1998-99 season closer is packed with energy and talent.
The alluring island of "Bali Ha'i" isn't the only thing calling. The telephone lines at the PTC box office have been ringing off the hook. There's a chance the show may be extended one week. Stay tuned.
Robert Peterson is perfectly cast as French plantation owner Emile de Becque, whose mysterious past threatens the possibility of any future enchanted evenings with that "cockeyed optimist" nurse, Ensign Nellie Forbush (beautifully played by Leah Hocking).
Other standouts in a cast that's full of them include John Cudia as Lt. Joseph Cable, who's not quite ready to trade his "Philadelia" girl for the enchanting young Liat (Francine Wong); Emily Yancy as opportunistic Bloody Mary; Bill Cohen as brazen Luther Billis; and Richard Mathews as Capt. George Brackett.
They're joined by a huge ensemble of Navy Seabees, Marines and nurses -- many of whom help move props and scenery on and off the stage. No easy task in a show that has 25 scene changes, ranging from palm tree-lined beaches to huts (both native and Quonset) and a palatial hillside plantation home.
The score is one of Rodgers & Hammerstein's best, containing such ballads as "Some Enchanted Evening," "Younger Than Springtime" and "This Nearly Was Mint," and, intermingled with high-energy numbers like "Bloody Mary," "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out-a My Hair," "Honey Bun" and "I'm in Love With a Wonderful Guy."
If you're more familiar with the movie version than the Broadway show, you'll notice that Lt. Cable's "My Girl Back Home" isn't here. It was added later for the film. This kind of song-shuffling goes on all the time. "Getting to Know You" was cut from "South Pacific" during its out-of-town tryouts, then surfaced later in "The King and I." Likewise, "Younger Than Springtime" was written for -- then cut from -- "Allegro."
Sensitivity rating: A few military cusswords, but it's basically family oriented fare.
-- PTC'S ANNUAL BRAVO AWARDS were presented on opening night to the O.C. Tanner Co. and the Lawrence T. and Janet T. Dee Foundation.