SOUTH PACIFIC Opens Lakewood Theatre Company's 60th Anniversary Season Tonight, 9/7

Lakewood Theatre Company's 60th season begins with the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, South Pacific. This all-new production, with stage direction by Ron Daum, and musical direction by David Hastings, is set on a tropical island during World War II. It tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices. Beloved songs include "Some Enchanted Evening," "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair," "This Nearly Was Mine," "Bali Ha'i" and "There is Nothin' Like a Dame." Don't miss this American classic that critics have hailed as "Flawless," "Simply Wonderful" and "Gorgeous!"

Lakewood Theatre's production of South Pacific opens tonight, September 7 with performances running through October 14 with the following schedule: Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 PM; Sundays at 7:00 PM (September 9, 16 & 23) and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM (September 16, 23, 30 and October 7 & 14). The show sponsor is Tom & Marcy Lasley.

The theatre is located at Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street in Lake Oswego. Ticket prices are $35/adults and $32/seniors. Other discounts are available for students and groups. Patrons can still purchase season tickets for a five-show package which provide discounted admission and preferred seating. For additional information and tickets, call the Lakewood Box Office at (503) 635-3901 or order online at www.lakewood-center.org.

The Story: Set in an island paradise during World War II, two parallel love stories are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. Nellie (Stephanie K. Leppert), a spunky nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with a mature French planter, Emile deBecque (Mike Dederian). Nellie learns that the mother of his children was an island native and, unable to turn her back on the prejudices with which she was raised, refuses Emile's proposal of marriage. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Joe Cable (Andrew Bray) denies himself the fulfillment of a future with Liat (Satheara Sin), an innocent Tonkinese girl with whom he's fallen in love out of the same fears that haunt Nellie. When Emile is recruited to accompany Joe on a dangerous mission, Nellie realizes that life is too short not to seize her own chance for happiness, thus confronting and conquering her prejudices.

Based on James Michener's Pulitzer Prize winning book Tales of the South Pacific, Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical South Pacific features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan.

Fresh off of last season's acclaimed production of Annie Get Your Gun, Ron Daum directs a stellar cast that also features Barbara Irvin as Bloody Mary and Andrew Bray as Lieutenant Joe Cable. Brandon B. Weaver plays Luther Billis, David Sargent portrays Commander Harbison and Robert M. Thomas appears as Captain Brackett.

The large cast also features Portland area musical performers: SeungJin Bae, Lyle Bjorn, Matthew Belles, Jody Clemmons, Alexis Moore Eytinge, Jessica Hanson, Jenny Hauser, Blake Isaac, Steven Johns, Ian Kane, Ecaterina Lynn, Melissa L. Magaña, Wimberly Marshall, Whitney Martin, Gabriel Mikalson, Gerrin Mitchell, Larry Toda, Ryan Wickenberg, Nartan Woods Tom Young, Loke Yokoyama, Kaliko Yokoyama and Sophie Gajowskyj.

The creative team includes stage director Ron Daum, assistant director Alan Anderson, musical director David Hastings, choreographer Elizabeth Erickson, scenic and lighting designer Chris Whitten, costume designer Allison Dawe, stage manager Heather Taylor, prop master Deb Dahling. Hair design is by Jane Holmes, the technical director is Kurt Herman and the producer is Kay Vega.

60 Years of Live Theatre: Founded as a not-for-profit organization in 1952, Lakewood Theatre Company is a professional theatre dedicated to the study and presentation of drama in all its forms; the training and development of actors; and the creation, maintenance and operation of a theatre in which to present plays and other forms of entertainment. Lakewood Theatre Company is the oldest continually operated, not-for-profit theatre company in the Portland Metropolitan area. It annually provides more than 400 theatre artists the opportunity to learn and display their craft and attracts more than 40,000 people to its shows.

For more information, visit www.lakewood-center.org.

Photo credit: Lake Oswego Photographers

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