Morrison Will Not Return to SOUTH PACIFIC

Matthew Morrison will not be returning to SOUTH PACIFIC this month, as was rumored, and will therefore not be participating in the 'Live from Lincoln Center' performance, according to a report by Playbill.com. Morrison is currently at work filming the second season of the Emmy-nominated show GLEE.

As previously reported by BroadwayWorld, Matthew Morrison, who originated the role of 'Lieutenant Joseph Cable' in the current Broadway production of SOUTH PACIFIC, was rumored to be returning to the production in order to appear in the 'Live from Lincoln Center' performance on August 18. According to a Lincoln Center spokesman, Morrison's return depended on his filming schedule for GLEE, the hit television show of which he is a star.

The 'Live from Lincoln Center' performance, which will be broadcast on PBS, will feature the production's original stars, Kelli O'Hara (Nellie Forbush) and Tony Award winner Paulo Szot (Emile de Becque). The production has received great critical and popular acclaim and was nominated for eleven 2008 Tony Awards, winning seven including Best Revival of a Musical. The production also received five Drama Desk Awards and five Outer Critics Circle Awards.

In addition to SOUTH PACIFIC, Morrison's Broadway credits include the original casts of HAIRSPRAY and THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. He is currently starring in 'Glee,' for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe, and will appear in the show's recently commissioned second season.

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