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Peer Reviews South
Pacific Entire contents are copyright © 2008 Kate Barry. All rights reserved.
Jewish Community Center's CenterStage premiered its production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific this weekend to a packed house. This production has all of the elements that make for a dazzling performance, including a beautiful set and lighting design, charming cast and a familiar score. Since the show is so familiar in culture, the main concern was how to make it new and fresh so it wasn't just another community theater production. John Leffert, the theater's Artistic Director, has produced a classic show that is far from "just another show." South Pacific is set in the Pacific Islands around the time of America's involvement in World War II. The stage is designed as a gorgeous jungle island with a rich array of greens and blues. I have reviewed two other shows at CenterStage this season, and I must say that this set was the most attractive and brilliant. Lighting is used effectively as well; spotlights containing softer sepia tones mirror the film's change in cinematography. But since this is a theater review and not a setting and lighting review, credit needs to be given to the cast.
Melissa Shepherd is adorable as Ensign Nellie Forbush. She brought smiles to many of my fellow audience members with such classics as "I'm Gonna Wash that Man Right Out-a My Hair" and "Honey Bun." Although she was cute as a button throughout the show, she brought a tragic element to Nellie as she tried to deal with the conflict of racism and love for Emile de Becque. Peter Holloway plays de Becque with likable charm throughout the show. He is most delightful when he sings "Some Enchanted Evening" as well as the reprise of "Dites Moi" with his adorable children, played by Ryan Cardwell and Alexandra Chand who is double-cast with Emily Schulman. As this production is a story centered on a Navy base, it wouldn't be complete without sailors. Without a doubt, the sailors in this performance brought the comic relief with "There is Nothin' Like a Dame." Monty Fields as Luther Billis was very fun to watch, as was Matt Schuster who played Stewpot. CenterStage regular Alex Craig was heartbreaking as he falls in love with a young woman on Bali Ha'i but cannot bring himself to be with her. In recent years, Louisville area theaters have strayed away from the standards and onto Stephen Schwartz and Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals. It's nice to see the Rodgers and Hammerstein classics performed every once in a while. If you want to see a simply beautiful and thought-provoking classic, go see South Pacific.
South Pacific Posted March 30, 2008
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