Principal roles and notable performers
| Character | Description | Original Broadway cast |
|---|---|---|
| Nellie Forbush | A young U.S. Navy nurse | Mary Martin |
| Emile de Becque | A middle-aged expatriate French planter | Ezio Pinza |
| Lt. Joseph Cable, USMC | A young Marine officer | William Tabbert |
| Liat | A young Tonkinese woman | Betta St. John |
When did South Pacific Close on Broadway?
January 16, 1954
Starring Mary Martin as Ensign Nellie Forbush and opera star Ezio Pinza as Emile De Becque, South Pacific would run 1,925 performances on Broadway, taking its final bow on January 16, 1954.
Is South Pacific Going to London?
South Pacific the Musical UK Tour The critically acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre Production of Rodger’s and Hammerstein’s South Pacific will open at the Manchester Opera House on 16 July 2022 ahead of a season at Sadler’s Wells, London.
Where is the musical South Pacific set?
Kauai is the Setting for Enchantment and Romance Though several movies had already been filmed on Kauai beginning with White Heat in 1933, it wasn’t until the release of South Pacific in 1958 that the island of Kauai took on a new role as a preferred setting for enchantment and romance.
What is the story of South Pacific?
Nurse Nellie Forbush (Mitzi Gaynor) of the U.S. Navy falls for middle-aged French plantation owner Emile De Becque (Rossano Brazzi), but recoils upon discovering that he’s fathered two mixed-race children. When Nellie leaves him, the heartbroken Emile agrees to take on a dangerous espionage mission. In his absence, Nellie struggles to reconcile her prejudices with her love for him — and after she spends time with his children and comes to care for them, fears that Emile may not return alive.
South Pacific/Film synopsis
When did South Pacific Open in London?
South Pacific Show Information
| Opening: | November 01, 1951 |
|---|---|
| Theatres: | Theatre Royal, Drury Lane (London, ) 11/1/1951 – 11/1/1951 |
| Production Type: | Original Production |
| Run Type: | Open Run |
| Market: | West End |
Is Bali Hai a real island?
“Bali Ha’i” was based on the real island of Ambae (formerly Aoba Island). Ambae is located in Vanuatu (known as New Hebrides at the time the song was written). However, the scene was filmed on the north shore of Kauaʻi; Mount Makana was used as Bali Hai and is still known as Bali Hai today.
What themes does South Pacific explore?
Set against the dramatic background of an idyllic South Pacific island during WWII, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific intertwines the themes of romance, duty, and prejudice to create a story that is all at once hilarious, heartbreaking, and thought-provoking.
How long did South Pacific run on Broadway?
The show went on to play a 1,925-performance run of nearly five years. Learn more about the show in the Playbill Vault.
What was the original Broadway production of South Pacific?
Original production. The Broadway production transferred to the Broadway Theatre in June 1953 to accommodate Rodgers and Hammerstein’s new show, Me and Juliet, although South Pacific had to be moved to Boston for five weeks because of schedule conflicts. When it closed on January 16, 1954, after 1,925 performances,…
Who wrote the music for the South Pacific?
Music by Richard Rodgers; Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II; Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan; Based on “Tales of the South Pacific” by James A. Michener; Musical Director: Salvatore Dell’Isola; Music orchestrated by Robert Russell Bennett. Directed by Joshua Logan; Musical Staging by Joshua Logan.
What is the story of South Pacific based on?
The work premiered in 1949 on Broadway and was an immediate hit, running for 1,925 performances. The plot is based on James A. Michener ‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 book Tales of the South Pacific and combines elements of several of those stories.
Is there a movie version of South Pacific?
Film and television versions. South Pacific was made into a film of the same name in 1958, and it topped the box office that year. Joshua Logan directed the film, which starred Rossano Brazzi, Mitzi Gaynor, John Kerr, Ray Walston and Juanita Hall; all of their singing voices except Gaynor’s and Walston’s were dubbed.
