SOUTH PACIFIC, O'Hara, Lithgow, et. al Perform at World Science Opening Gala, 6/2

Current cast members of SOUTH PACIFIC, Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara, cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, and John Lithgow are among the performers scheduled for the lineup at The World Science Festival's opening night-gala, June 2 at Alice Tully Hall. The opening-night celebration will feature the cast of Broadway's SOUTH PACIFIC singing 'Derivative Song' and 'Galaxy Song'. Kelli O'Hara, who originated the role of Nelli Forbush in the SOUTH PACIFIC revival, will perform 'Stardust'. Finally, in the second half of the gala, David Henry Hwang will present his world premiere play, based on a children's book written by Brian Green. Tony Award winner John Lithgow will narrate.

Additionally, New York City Ballet's Tiler Peck will dance to 'Apollo', and Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Project will perform a Persian musical version of the Icarus Story. The opening-night gala is a tribute to physicist Stephen W. Hawking, British theoretical physicist and recipient of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom. Mr. Hawking is expected to be present at the gala. 

Now in its first Broadway revival, South Pacific won seven 2008 Tonys and has been playing to sold-out houses since the first preview in March 2008. Three time Tony-nominee Kelli O'Hara and acclaimed bass-baritone David Pittsinger lead the marvelous cast of 40 directed by Tony winner Bartlett Sher. Although well known for its extraordinary score -- the songs include Some Enchanted Evening, Younger Than Springtime, Bali Ha'i, There Is Nothin' Like A Dame, and A Wonderful Guy -- South Pacific is also a deeply felt drama. Its portrayal of Americans stationed in an alien culture in wartime is as relevant today as when it first thrilled audiences in 1949.

Kelli O'Hara is a multi-Tony Award-nominee and has starred on Broadway in South Pacific, The Pajama Game (opposite Harry Connick, Jr.), The Light in the Piazza, among many others. When she first moved to New York, she frequently used Frank Loesser's "Somebody, Somewhere" (from The Most Happy Fella) as her audition song.

John Lithgow's career includes multiple nominations and two Tony Awards for The Changing Room and The Sweet Smell of Success; three Emmys for his best-known role as Dick Solomon in the hit TV series 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996-2001); and Oscar nominations for The World According to Garp and Terms of Endearment. Most recently, he received a Golden Globe Award for his role as the Trinity Killer in the acclaimed TV series Dexter, and he is also the author of eight New York Times best-selling children's picture books as well as three albums of children's music.

The World Science Festival is an annual celebration of science that brings together great minds in science, business, government, and the arts. Over 40 events are scheduled in the NYC area for this year's festival (June 2-6). For more information, visit, www.worldsciencefestival.com

Photo Credit: Pablo Pimienta