Arizona Broadway Theatre Pays Tribute to American Veterans with SOUTH PACIFIC and More

Arizona Broadway Theatre heads into November with a full line-up of Mainstage musical productions, concerts, children's programming and special events beginning November 24 with South Pacific - the 1949 landmark musical masterpiece that today honors and pays tribute to America's Greatest Generation of Heroes.

Set during World War II, South Pacific is the tale of two love stories and the prejudice they engender. Navy nurse and small-town Arkansas girl Nellie Forbush falls for the dashing local French planter Emile De Becque, not realizing he has two children from his dalliance with an island native. Meanwhile, visiting Marine Lieutenant Joe Cable is introduced to "Bali Ha'i" and the enchanting Tonkinese girl who steals his heart and makes him question all he has been "Carefully Taught" back home in Princeton.

While South Pacific is a show full of timeless classic Broadway tunes like "Some Enchanted Evening," "There Ain't Nothing like a Dame" and "Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair," the show itself is also a time capsule of remembrance for a time in history defined by a generation of men and women who fought to defend the freedoms of a nation and the world.

During the months of November and December, ABT will pay tribute to the Greatest Generation of American heroes, as well as to all who have served and continue to serve in our armed forces. Beginning Monday, November 20, ABT will host four Veteran's Coffee Hours on Nov 20 & 27 and Dec 4 & 18 in the ABT lobby from 8 am to 10 am.

Veterans and their families are invited to enjoy a relaxed social time with complimentary coffee and donuts provided. Free walking tours of the Theatre will run on the hour and include a short informal talk-back about South Pacific - to include information about the show's initial creation in 1947-48 as well as ABT's artistic vision and design process for the show, which is on stage through December 30.

"South Pacific is a show that nearly everyone has heard of, and many may have seen at some point throughout their lives," said Brad York, ABT's Director of Marketing. "But at its core, the show is about the bravery of so many who fought in the South Pacific during WWII. We want to take the opportunity to acknowledge and pay tribute to not only that generation of veterans but all who continue to defend our freedoms - at home and abroad," York continued.

One of the central themes in South Pacific is learning to see the good in all people, despite our differences - a theme that resonates as loudly today as it did back in 1949. Throughout the run of the show, the Theatre's lobby will showcase a number of veteran profiles of military personnel selected from the Theatre's patron base.

South Pacific runs November 24 - December 30. Information about this and all November and December offerings at ABT can be found online at azbroadway.org.

ABT, Arizona's one-of-a-kind, award-winning, state-of-the-art professional theatre showcases locally and nationally acclaimed artists and provides palate-pleasing sit-down table service with themed menu items prepared fresh daily to accompany the award-winning on-stage fare. With one reservation, you can enjoy a full night's entertainment without having to rush around the Phoenix sprawl between meal and show! ABT is conveniently located south of West Bell Road off Loop 101 in the P83 District east of the Peoria Sports Complex. Parking is free. For information, visit azbroadway.org. Arizona Broadway Theatre's thirteenth season is proudly sponsored by Arrowhead Cadillac.

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