Spokane Valley Summer Theatre Opens Season With Rodgers and Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC

Spokane Valley Summer Theatre will open its 'Divine Season 9' June 21st at Central Valley High School (please note venue change from University High School) with Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic SOUTH PACIFIC.

Directed by Yvonne A.K. Johnson, with music direction by David Brewster and choreography by Joshua Spencer, SOUTH PACIFIC is brought to life on idyllic island during World War II, with an epic romance and one of the most beloved scores in the musical theatre canon Based on James Michener's Pulitzer Prize-winning TALES OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC, the musical examines the reconciliation of pre-existing cultural prejudices in the face of romance with the threat of war looming each day. Featuring familiar favorites such as "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair," "Bali Ha'i," "Some Enchanted Evening," and "There is Nothing Like a Dame," this musical is sure to enchant.

Leading the cast are two local star performers: SVST veteran Andrea Olsen (Nellie Forbush) and Max Mendez as Emile De Becque (SVST debut). Olsen's favorite SVST credits include the Witch in Into the Woods, Patsy Cline in Always Patsy Cline, Donna in Mamma Mia, Lily in The Secret Garden, and Francesca in The Bridges of Madison County. Mendez has been a versatile concert, theatre and opera artist for over three decades in the region performing to critical acclaim with the Spokane Symphony, Opera Coeur d'Alene, Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre, and Spokane Opera.

The cast of SOUTH PACIFIC also includes Dylan James (Lt. Joseph Cable), Melody Chang (Bloody Mary), Doug Dawson (Luther Billis), Ngana (Naomi Cho), Jerome (Nathaniel Cho), Liat (Stevie Astudillo), Paul Villabrille (Henry/Professor), Willam Garry (Capt. George Brackett), Michael Rorholm (Cmdr. William Harbison), Andrea Bates (Lt. Genevieve Marshall), Skyler Kelley (Stewpot), Jeffry Parsons (Lt. Buzz Adams), Caid Wood (Yeoman Hebert Quale), Jonah G. Hill (Radio Operator), Nicolas Marrero (Seaman Thomas Hassinger), Bren Altenbach (Seaman Norton Wise), Ilan Hernandez (Sgt. Kenneth Johnson), Alexandra Lewis (Ensign Dina Murphy), Sydney Petersen (Ensign Janet McGregor/Dance Captain), Allison Vanlandingham (Ensign Connie Walewska), Lily Miller (Ensign Pamela Whitemore), Amanda Guarisco (Ensign Lisa Minelli), Elly Sims (Ensign Cora Macrae), Kyrie Hertz (Ensign Sue Yaeger), Natalie Marssdorf (Ensign Bessie Noonan), and Bee Aaron (Featured Island Dancer).

SOUTH PACIFIC is on the SVST stage June 21 - July 7. Tickets are on sale now at svsummertheatre.com or through the Box Office at (509) 368-7897. Important venue change: performances are at Central Valley High School Theatre, 821 S. Sullivan Rd., Spokane Valley.

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