Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific at Skokie Theatre

“You have to be taught to hate.” Set against the backdrop of World War II, Rodgers and Hammerstein's enchanting tale of love and prejudice unfolds on a remote island in the South Pacific, where two parallel love stories blossom amidst the turmoil of war. More than just a musical, it’s a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and the courage to challenge the status quo. Considered by many to be Rodgers and Hammerstein’s best work, South Pacific is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book “Tales of the South Pacific” by James A. Michener. The play won its own Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1950, along with 10 Tony awards for its original Broadway run. The issue of racial prejudice is candidly explored throughout the musical, most controversially in the song, "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught." Several popular standards written for the show include "Bali Ha'i", "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair", "Some Enchanted Evening", "There Is Nothing Like a Dame", "Happy Talk", "Younger Than Springtime", and "I'm in Love with a Wonderful Guy".