MAR. 19, 1965
South Pacific Opens Soon
The story takes place on two tropical islands in the South Pacific during World War II. The main plot deals with the romance between an American girl, Ensign Nellie Forbush who is a navy nurse and the French planter, Emile DeBecque. Emile, who is much older than Nellie, has two children by a previous marriage. Because of this, Nellie has doubts about marrying him.
The sub-plot is about the romance between the native girl Liat and Lieutenant Joseph Cable, USMC. When Lieutenant Cable and Emile go on a dangerous mission, Nellie realizes her love for Emile when Lieutenant Cable is killed.
The musical is enlivened by the native 'Bloody Mary' who sells trinkets to the servicemen. Con artist, Seabee Luther Billis provides robust humor to the service life on the island.
Many people are involved in the musical production. Most of the parts are double and triple cast.
A great deal of credit to the success of the musical should be given to Mr. Robert Kuite, musical director, and Mr. Garth Boyer, the script director. Choreographers Connie Lambrecht and Donna Hostetler, language consultant Sue Kalb, and student directors Shirleen Ullrey and Beth Radcliffe also have contributed much time and effort to the musical.
The musical-comedies written by Rodgers and Hammerstein are of world renown. Others they have written are "The King and I," "Sound of Music,' "Carrousel," and "Oklahoma."