Review: National Touring Company - 'South Pacific'

Something wonderful is happening at The Buell Theater and you only have a week left to experience it.

The National tour of "South Pacific" is currently running at the Buell Theater and is such a breath of fresh air. The best part? A full orchestra! Thank goodness it was decided to use real instruments for this Rogers & Hammerstein classic. I often comment on the sound at opening nights but this time I am happy to report that, from where I was sitting, it was perfect. Maybe it was the fact that there were no synthesized "instruments" bombarding your ears. The lush sounding orchestra just washed over the theater, allowing you to hear the lyrics to the songs being sung onstage. This is how this wonderful music should be heard. Kudos to Soundman Scott Lehrer and the people at the sound board in the theater. Unfortunately, the opening night audience decided to talk throughout the wonderful overture, all but drowning it out.

If you don't know the story of these 4 lovers and the looming racial "tension", you most likely know most of the music. Classics such as "Some Enchanted Evening", "Bali Ha'I", "I'm Gonna Was That Man Right Outa My Hair", "A Wonderful Guy", "There Is Nothing Like A Dame" and more were beautifully sung by this superb cast. While you are swept away from the very beginning, the goosebumps start when bass-baritone David Pittsinger as Emile de Becque literally shakes the theater walls with "Some Enchanted Evening". He then delivers a soaring "This Nearly Was Mine" in the second act that stops the show and I fully expected a standing ovation. It was that magnificent. But wait, there's more! The wonderful Carmen Cusak as Ensign Nellie Forbush lights up the stage every moment that she is on it, and even when she's not! With a voice sent from the heavens, when she launches into "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" you know you are in for a wonderful time. Mr. Pittsinger and Ms. Cusak share a wonderful chemistry when together onstage. Stealing almost every scene he is in, Matthew Saldivar as Luther Billis is a ball of energy as he leads the Seabees in the number "There Is Nothing Like A Dame". Keala Settle is a perfect Bloody Mary and does a very good job with the song "Bali Ha'I". While Anderson Davis as Lt. Joseph Cable turns in a reserved and slightly wooden performance with an entrance that reminded me of the UPS man's entrance in Legally Blonde. (Which I will assume is the director's choice) He too has a gorgeous voice and delivers a searing "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught". This song brings home the racial theme of the show and Mr. Davis nails it. Unfortunately, due to our no smoking onstage law, he is forced to find something else to do with his cigarettes instead of smoke them as the script calls for. (Don't get me started on that!) I must also mention the good work by Christina Carrera and CJ Palma as Ngana and Jerome, Emile's children. Miss Carrera is making her theater debut in this production while Mr. Palma is already a bit of a vet! I expect we will see more of these two talented performers! Also notable were Peter Rini as Cmdr. William Harbison and Gerry Becker as Capt. George Brackett.

This cast also has a beautiful set to perform on. The stage comes alive with minimal yet creative sets that still fill the stage along with a beautiful screen in the rear that has the effect of looking out across the ocean. At times you feel like you are looking at a Technicolor movie that is coming to life right before your eyes.

It is easy to see why this production has been running for over 2 years on Broadway. It takes you back to Broadway's Golden age and just makes you feel good as you are leaving the theater. it is worth every dime and more.

Just a note, be on time for the curtain. There is a wait if you aren't! The signs posted around the theatre are there for a reason!

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