The Winters School of Music will present the Pulitzer Prize-winning “South Pacific” on Friday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Thomas Fine Arts Center auditorium at William Carey University.
“South Pacific,” by Rodgers & Hammerstein, is set against the backdrop of the Pacific Theater of World War II and is adapted from James A. Michener's fictional work "Tales of the South Pacific." Since its Broadway premiere in 1949, starring Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza, "South Pacific" has remained one of the most beloved of all American musicals.
A Navy nurse falls in love with an ex-patriot Frenchman, and a Marine lieutenant becomes enamored of a local woman on the small island where they are stationed in the South Pacific. They struggle to overcome long-held beliefs that their backgrounds are too different from their lovers' for the relationships to last.
The performance will feature a live pit orchestra accompanying the cast in the time-honored classic score, featuring the songs "Some Enchanted Evening," "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair," "Younger than Springtime," "Bali Ha'i," and "There is Nothin' Like a Dame."
The lead cast includes Ensign Nellie Forbush (Molly Jarvis), Emile de Beque (Kenny Keeton), Lt. Joseph Cable (Kyle Conn), Bloody Mary (Malia Zbinden), Liat (Liberty Sikes) and Luther Billis (Damien Williams).
Supporting cast members include Helene (Gabrielle Barton), Quale (Gregorie Williams), Stewpot (Nathan Lockey), Professor (Jacob May), Capt. Brackett (David Sizemore), Cmdr. Harbison (Conner Dunlap), Lt. Buzz Adams (Mark Malone), Radio Man Bob McCaffrey (Nick Joslin), Head Nurse (Mary Catherine Morrison), Dinah (Rosa Gaines), Nurse MacGregor (Leigh Anne Howe) and Sailor (David Kanga).
The cast also includes the French planter’s two children. Isabelle Wilkes, daughter of Christopher and Heather Wilkes, will play Ngana DeBeque. Graham Clark, son of Brad and Sam Clark, will play Jerome DeBeque. Both children are students at Sacred Heart Elementary School.
Professor Connie Roberts, director of the show, said, "Presenting ‘South Pacific’ in Hattiesburg has been a dream of mine for a long time. We've had a great time preparing the show. It's funny, exciting, and also heart-breaking--in other words, an evening of fabulous entertainment."
The production team includes choreography by Katie Ginn, musical preparation by Michael Ginn, orchestra direction by Andrew Gilstrap, rehearsal accompaniment by Tae Young Hong, and technical direction by David Kanga.
Tickets are $10 general admission and $5 for students and seniors. Free admission for William Carey University students with ID, military members and veterans. For more information or to reserve tickets, call (601) 318-6175 or email
croberts@wmcarey.edu.