FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Enchanting Evenings

This Nearly Wasn't Ours

This week, we are following in the steps of SOUND OFF and showcasing some other productions of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical that was just so rapturously received in both it's Tony-winning 2008 Broadway revival but also Wednesday night's Live From Lincoln Center broadcast of the final performance starring Kelli O'Hara and Tony-Award-winner Paulo Szot. It was a night beyond compare as far as live theatrical filmings go, and included will be a taste - as well as the tropical sights and sounds of some other iterations of the legendary musical. Check it out.

Honey Buns

Not much more can be said about SOUTH PACIFIC that has not already been said in this week's SOUND OFF column, but it is a credit to that unforgettable television capture of a perfect production that it has inspired this author to feature some clips of the songs and characters and inspiration for SOUTH PACIFIC in this column since there is such a wealth - a plethora, really - of clips, interviews and scenes available on YouTube and on DVD, first and foremost the DVD of the uneven film version of the musical. Here are some of the best clips out there, and if you didn't catch the Live From Lincoln Center broadcast some markets will be airing it one more time this weekend so check your local listings and set your DVRs! It's not to be missed!

First up is a performance by the cast of the Lincoln Center revival of SOUTH PACIFIC at the 2008 Tony Awards. Harry Connick Jr., having essayed the role of Lt. Cable in the Glenn Close tele-film from a few years earlier, introduced his PAJAMA GAME co-star Kelli O'Hara as well as Paulo Szot and a pre-GLEE Matthew Morrison in a spirited performance. Given the camerawork here, it goes to show how spiffy and smooth the Live From Lincoln Center broadcast undoubtedly is!

Here is a very special version of Mitzi Gaynor's "A Wonderful Guy" from the Joshua Logan film version of SOUTH PACIFIC. Yes, the color filters and subsequent distortion of the image is intentional. No, Gaynor can't sing like Kelli O'Hara. But, boy, is she sexy and 100-percent in-the-moment. This is the sing-along version of the track as is available for all songs on the absolutely exquisite 2 disc re-issue of the film which is available on DVD and Blu-Ray and is simply one of the best musical theatre discs on the market.

The bonus disc of the Collector's Edition of SOUTH PACIFIC alone justifies the purchase, especially Diane Sawyer's video interview with the original novelist of THE TALES OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC in which they revisit the sights, scenes and even Bloody Mary herself. Ted Chapin provides an excellent audio commentary as well. It's essential to any collection, despite the flaws of the film (especially the standard version, though the full Director's Cut has its indisputable charms. But, those filters muck it all up!)

DVD LINK - Click Here

Next is Reba McEntire and Brian Stokes Mitchell as Nellie and Emile in the concert version of SOUTH PACIFIC. It's fascinating to compare these two performers, who could just as easily have played the roles in this production (OK, maybe ten years too late). They're delightful and different from any other Nellie and Emile. It's quite enjoyable and lush, if a little two-dimensional due to the books in hand.

Finally, here is a highlights reel of the new touring production based on Bartlett Sher's 2009 revival that should be coming to a city near you in the coming year. It is impossible to beat Broadway quality, but this comes damn close as you can see for yourself!

That's all for this week. Please remember that if you have discovered a particularly thrilling, unique, bizarre or hilarious Broadway-related clip to please send us a line at the link below. Until next week…