Rodgers&Hammerstein's Legendary 'South Pacific'
By: Beau Higgins Jun. 02, 2007
ACTRESS RETURNS TO SMT FOR SOUTH PACIFIC LEAD
Jennifer Swiderski stole the show as Lina Lamont in last summer's Singin' in the Rain. And this summer she steals your heart as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, presented by Seaside Music Theater (SMT) June 8– 24 at The News-Journal Center.
Swiderski stars as the "cockeyed optimist" from the "sticks" of Arkansas, also a Navy Nurse, who finds herself falling for the worldly, French planter, Emile de Becque (played by Steven Edward Moore), on the South Pacific island where she is stationed during World War II.
She isn't new to the role, having played Nellie last November at the Skylight Opera Theatre in Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel said, "she captures the comedic possibilities and the small-town girl qualities of her character."
Swiderski captures the qualities of all the characters she has played at Seaside Music Theater, as well, including an outstanding incarnation of Patty Andrews in last summer's smash hit Andrews Sisters musical biopic, Sisters of Swing, for which she won the SMT Sustainers Award for Best Actress of the Season.
As Nellie, Swiderski will deliver such timeless classics as Some Enchanted Evening, I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out-A My Hair, A Cockeyed Optimist, and A Wonderful Guy.
You'll have your chance to see her and the rest of the talented cast in South Pacific,presented by Seaside Music TheaterJune 8 – 24 at The News-Journal Center, located at 221 N. Beach Street in Daytona Beach.
SMT's production is directed by Lester Malizia, with choreography by Chuck Hoenes, music direction by Justin Fischer, sets by Robert Fetterman, costumes by Paul Favini, lighting by Andrew J. White and sound by Jason Hoffman.
TICKET INFORMATION
For tickets to South Pacific or any of Seaside Music Theater's summer productions, call the News-Journal Center Box Office at 386-252-6200 or 800-854-5592. Box office hours are Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., plus two hours prior to show times through intermission on show dates. Buy tickets online at www.SeasideMusicTheater.org. Adult tickets range from $27 - $45. Youth tickets (under 18) are $20 each, and college tickets (w/ student I.D.) are $22 each.
Subscriptions for the 2007 Summer Season are still available for purchase. In addition to South Pacific (June 7-24), a subscription includes Silver Screen Serenade (June 14 – July 8), Nine (July 5-22), Snapshots (July 26 – August 19) and Peter Pan (August 2-19). Adult subscriptions are $170 and youth subscriptions (under 18) are $70. Group discounts are available by calling 386-226-1941.
Also playing now through August 17th is the musical for children, Go, Dog. Go! Tickets are $9 per child and $12 per adult.
Parking in the News-Journal Center lot is $10 per car. Don't want to pay to park? Purchase an SMT subscription and receive FREE parking. Parking is also available at the Volusia County Administration Building across the street, along Beach Street, or in the lot behind the Beach Street shops. Parking lot expansion is in the works and should be completed early this summer.
SOUTH PACIFIC BACKGROUND INFORMATION
South Pacific is one of the most popular and influential shows in Broadway history. Working with co-librettist and director Josh Logan, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote this musical based on James Michener's Tales of the South Pacific, which itself was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1948. South Pacific is the only musical to date to have won all four Tony Awards for acting. It was nominated for 9 Tony's and won all of them. In addition, South Pacific won a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the New York Critics Circle Award for Best Musical and 9 Donaldson Awards, including Best Musical, Book, Lyrics and Score.
"Few Broadway musicals can match the songs of South Pacific for their beguiling tunes and meaningful lyrics, says The Los Angeles Times. "Whether addressing such varied subjects as love at first sight, race prejudice or lost possibilities, they speak a rare yet simple language."
The award-winning score features classics as "Some Enchanted Evening," "Bali Ha'i," "There is Nothin' Like a Dame," "Younger Than Springtime" and many more.
ABOUT SEASIDE MUSIC THEATER
Founded in 1977, Seaside Music Theater is now in its 31st year as a professional thater and has become an integral part of our area's cultural heritage. Recently voted "Florida's Best Professional Arts Group" by Florida Monthly Magazine, SMT is the largest professional theater within a 100-mile radius and the only major resident musical theater company in the Southeast.
Visit www.SEASIDEMUSICTHEATER.org for more information!
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