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South Pacific Revival 2008

Run Time:
3 three hours, with one intermission
Opened: April 3, 2008
Closing: August 22, 2010

South Pacific - 2008 Broadway History , Info & More

Vivian Beaumont Theatre (Broadway)
150 West 65th St. at Broadway New York, NY 10023

Although well known for its extraordinary score -- the songs include Some Enchanted Evening, Younger Than Springtime, Bali Ha'i, There Is Nothin' Like A Dame, and A Wonderful Guy -- South Pacific is also a deeply felt drama. Its portrayal of Americans stationed in an alien culture in wartime is as relevant today as when it first thrilled audiences in 1949.



Now in its first Broadway revival, South Pacific won seven 2008 Tonys and has been playing to sold-out houses since the first preview in March 2008. Three time Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara and acclaimed bass-baritone David Pittsinger lead the marvelous cast of 40 directed by Tony winner Bartlett Sher.


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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR South Pacific

South Pacific
8 / 10

Fittingly, it's the music that is the most prominent aspect of the production, as evidenced by the starring role of the large orchestra. At the beginning of the evening, it receives a huge ovation, before the stage slowly extends over the musicians to bring the performers closer to the audience. Directed by Bartlett Sher, this lavish production doesn't always succeed on a purely dramatic level, with the story line involving the major characters never quite connecting the way it should. But it does do full justice to the glorious score, and that's more than enough.

Nostalgia Is What It Used to Be
7 / 10

But period flavor cuts both ways. Despite the best efforts of Danny Burstein, who got dependable laughs in The Drowsy Chaperone, the antics of fast-talking operator Luther Billis aren’t very funny. And despite O’Hara’s best efforts, the show’s vaunted wrestling match with bigotry doesn’t resonate either. There’s no denying the show’s boldness for 1949, the new seriousness it brought to musical drama on Broadway. Alas, a pioneer spirit doesn’t make the show complex or challenging enough to keep up with the racial conversation we’re having today. If it’s relevant now, it’s largely through letting us see how far our cultural depictions of American race relations have come.

SOUTH PACIFIC Closes on Broadway August 22
by BWW News Desk - August 22, 2010


Lincoln Center Theater's Tony Award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, directed by Bartlett Sher, will end its record-breaking run at the Vivian Beaumont Theater on Sunday, August 22. By the time it ends its long run SOUTH PACIFIC will have played 1000 performances and 37 previews, making it the longest-running Broadway revival of any of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals.

O'Hara & Szot Reunite for SOUTH PACIFIC PBS Broadcast Tonight, 8/18
by Jessica Lewis - August 18, 2010


'Live From Lincoln Center' will present the television premiere of Lincoln Center Theater's Tony® Award-winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC tonight, August 18, at 8:00 p.m. on PBS, live from the Vivian Beaumont Theater. Lincoln Center Theater's new production of the musical classic won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival as well as the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Award for Best Musical Revival. SOUTH PACIFIC, directed by Bartlett Sher, began performances Saturday, March 1, 2008 and opened Thursday, April 3, 2008 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. The show will end its record breaking run on Sunday, August 22, 2010, making it the longest running Broadway revival of a Rodgers & Hammerstein musical.

'Live From Lincoln Center' Presents TV Premiere of SOUTH PACIFIC, 8/18
by BWW News Desk - August 18, 2010


'Live From Lincoln Center' will present the television premiere of Lincoln Center Theater's Tony® Award-winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, on Wednesday, August 18 at 8:00 p.m. on PBS, live from the Vivian Beaumont Theater. Lincoln Center Theater's new production of the musical classic won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival as well as the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Award for Best Musical Revival. SOUTH PACIFIC, directed by Bartlett Sher, began performances Saturday, March 1, 2008 and opened Thursday, April 3, 2008 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. The show will end its record breaking run on Sunday, August 22, 2010, making it the longest running Broadway revival of a Rodgers & Hammerstein musical.

'Live From Lincoln Center' Presents TV Premiere of SOUTH PACIFIC, 8/18
by Molly Hagan - August 16, 2010


'Live From Lincoln Center' will present the television premiere of Lincoln Center Theater's Tony® Award-winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, on Wednesday, August 18 at 8:00 p.m. on PBS, live from the Vivian Beaumont Theater. Lincoln Center Theater's new production of the musical classic won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival as well as the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Award for Best Musical Revival. SOUTH PACIFIC, directed by Bartlett Sher, began performances Saturday, March 1, 2008 and opened Thursday, April 3, 2008 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. The show will end its record breaking run on Sunday, August 22, 2010, making it the longest running Broadway revival of a Rodgers & Hammerstein musical.

Kelli O'Hara Returns to SOUTH PACIFIC 8/10 - 8/22; Show Airs Live 8/18 on PBS
by BWW News Desk - August 10, 2010


Kelli O'Hara, who won critical acclaim for her performance as Nellie Forbush in Lincoln Center Theater's production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC will return to the production on Tuesday, August 10 and perform the role through Sunday, August 22 when the musical plays the final performance of its record-breaking run at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. On Wednesday, August 18, the Tony Award winning production, directed by Bartlett Sher, will be broadcast nationally at 8pm on PBS' 'Live From Lincoln Center.'

Morrison Will Not Return to SOUTH PACIFIC
by Nicolas Coburn - August 4, 2010


Matthew Morrison will not be returning to SOUTH PACIFIC this month, as was rumored, and will therefore not be taking part in the 'Live from Lincoln Center' performance, according to a report by Playbill.com. Morrison is currently at work filming the second season of the Emmy-nominated show GLEE.

Ken Fallin Illustrates: Kelli O'Hara in SOUTH PACIFIC
by Ken Fallin - July 31, 2010


BroadwayWold.com is pleased to present illustrator Ken Fallin, who brings you original illustrations of everyone's favorite theatrical stars each week. This week's feature: Kelli O'Hara in SOUTH PACIFIC. O'Hara, who originated the role of Nellie Forbush in the Tony-winning revival at Lincoln Center, returns to the production from August 6 through August 22 to finish out the show's run.

TV: Bway in Bryant Park - SOUTH PACIFIC!
by Robert Diamond - July 16, 2010


The best of Broadway is being presented free on six consecutive Thursdays this summer with '106.7 Lite fm Presents Broadway in Bryant Park 2010' - a lunchtime series which began on Thursday, July 8th at 12:30pm on the Bryant Park Stage. Sponsored by Bank of America, and JCPenney 33rd & 6th, and hosted by Lite fm's on-air personalities, the tenth annual presentation of open-air, On- and Off- Broadway lunch hour performances runs through August 12th.

Paulo Szot Returns to SOUTH PACIFIC, 7/7
by BWW News Desk - July 7, 2010


Tony Award winner Paulo Szot returns to the role of Emile de Becque in Lincoln Center Theater's Tony Award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, on Wednesday, July 7, returning after a leave to fulfill a previous opera commitment.

Photo Flash: WWII Veterans Enjoy SOUTH PACIFIC as Guests of Times Square Nurse
by Gabrielle Sierra - July 6, 2010


WWII Veterans Enjoy 'South Pacific' as Guests of 'Times Square Nurse' More than 50 World War II veterans and their wives began their July 4th weekend with a special reception in their honor held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles last Saturday (July 3) and the matinee performance of 'South Pacific' as guests of the late Edith Shain, the 'Times Square Nurse' who passed away on June 20 at age 91.

William Michals Performs Final Show in SOUTH PACIFIC 7/4
by BWW News Desk - July 4, 2010


It has been announced that baritone William Michals assumes the role of Emile de Becque in Lincoln Center Theater's Tony Award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, for a five week period beginning Tuesday, June 1st through Sunday, July 4th. The production's current Emile de Becque, Tony Award winner Paulo Szot, leaves the musical on May 30 for an opera engagement in Europe. He returns to South Pacific on July 6, 2010 and will play the role through the end of the show's run on Broadway on August 22..

Paulo Szot Returns to SOUTH PACIFIC, 7/7
by Jessica Lewis - June 22, 2010


Tony Award winner Paulo Szot returns to the role of Emile de Becque in Lincoln Center Theater's Tony Award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, on Wednesday, July 7, returning after a leave to fulfill a previous opera commitment.

RIALTO CHATTER: Matthew Morrison Headed Back to SOUTH PACIFIC?
by Rialto Chatter - June 3, 2010


Matthew Morrison, who originated the role of Lieutenant Joseph Cable in the current Broadway production of SOUTH PACIFIC, may be returning to the production in order to appear in the 'Live from Lincoln Center' performance on August 18, the Los Angeles Times reported yesterday. According to a Lincoln Center spokesman, Morrison's return will depend on his filming schedule for 'Glee,' the hit television show of which he is a star.

SOUTH PACIFIC, O'Hara, Lithgow, et. al Perform at World Science Opening Gala, 6/2
by BWW News Desk - June 2, 2010


Current cast members of SOUTH PACIFIC, Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara, cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, and John Lithgow are among the performers scheduled for the lineup at The World Science Festival's opening night-gala, June 2 at Alice Tully Hall. The opening-night celebration will feature the cast of Broadway's SOUTH PACIFIC singing 'Derivative Song' and 'Galaxy Song'. Kelli O'Hara, who originated the role of Nelli Forbush in the SOUTH PACIFIC revival, will perform 'Stardust'. Finally, in the second half of the gala, David Henry Hwang will present his world premiere play, based on a children's book written by Brian Green. Tony Award winner John Lithgow will narrate.

Kelli O'Hara Returns to SOUTH PACIFIC 8/10 - 8/22; Show Airs Live 8/18 on PBS
by Jessica Lewis - June 1, 2010


Kelli O'Hara, who won critical acclaim for her performance as Nellie Forbush in Lincoln Center Theater's production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC will return to the production on Tuesday, August 10 and perform the role through Sunday, August 22 when the musical plays the final performance of its record-breaking run at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. On Wednesday, August 18, the Tony Award winning production, directed by Bartlett Sher, will be broadcast nationally at 8pm on PBS' 'Live From Lincoln Center.'

William Michals To Cover Szot in SOUTH PACIFIC, 6/1-7/4
by BWW News Desk - June 1, 2010


It has been announced that baritone William Michals assumes the role of Emile de Becque in Lincoln Center Theater's Tony Award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, for a five week period beginning Tuesday, June 1st through Sunday, July 4th. The production's current Emile de Becque, Tony Award winner Paulo Szot, leaves the musical on May 30 for an opera engagement in Europe. He returns to South Pacific on July 6, 2010 and will play the role through the end of the show's run on Broadway on August 22..

SOUTH PACIFIC, O'Hara, Lithgow, et. al Perform at World Science Opening Gala, 6/2
by Caroline Cole - May 20, 2010


Current cast members of SOUTH PACIFIC, Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara, cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, and John Lithgow are among the performers scheduled for the lineup at The World Science Festival's opening night-gala, June 2 at Alice Tully Hall. The opening-night celebration will feature the cast of Broadway's SOUTH PACIFIC singing 'Derivative Song' and 'Galaxy Song'. Kelli O'Hara, who originated the role of Nelli Forbush in the SOUTH PACIFIC revival, will perform 'Stardust'. Finally, in the second half of the gala, David Henry Hwang will present his world premiere play, based on a children's book written by Brian Green. Tony Award winner John Lithgow will narrate.

William Michals To Cover Szot in SOUTH PACIFIC, 6/1-7/4
by Mary Hanrahan - May 19, 2010


It has been announced that baritone William Michals assumes the role of Emile de Becque in Lincoln Center Theater's Tony Award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, for a five week period beginning Tuesday, June 1st through Sunday, July 4th. The production's current Emile de Becque, Tony Award winner Paulo Szot, leaves the musical on May 30 for an opera engagement in Europe. He returns to South Pacific on July 6, 2010 and will play the role through the end of the show's run on Broadway on August 22..

Szot Returns to SOUTH PACIFIC, 3/31
by Jessica Lewis - March 30, 2010


Opera baritone Paulo Szot returns to the role of Emile de Becque in Lincoln Center Theater's Tony Award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, this Wednesday (March 31) fresh from his triumphant Metropolitan Opera debut in their new production of Shostakovich's The Nose.

David Pittsinger Ends Return Engagement in SOUTH PACIFIC as Emile de Becque, 3/21
by BWW News Desk - March 21, 2010


Bass-Baritone David Pittsinger will end his stint as Emile de Becque on March 21st in Lincoln Center Theater's Tony Award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, after a seven week run. The production's original Emile de Becque, baritone Paulo Szot, returns to South Pacific on March 30, 2010.

SOUTH PACIFIC'S David Pittsinger Dishes on Broadway and Opera Double Duty
by Samantha Jacobsen - March 17, 2010


Broadway Bass-Baritone David Pittsinger recently talked to the New York Times about his uniquely demanding schedule. Pittsinger is currently performing eight times per week in the Tony Award-winning revivial of South Pacific at the Vivian Beaumont Theater as Emile de Becque as well as portraying the ghost' of Hamelt's father in 'Hamlet' at the Metropolitan Opera.

South Pacific History

Other Productions of South Pacific

1949   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1950   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
1951   West End London Production
West End
1955   Broadway Unknown
Broadway
1967   Off-Broadway Lincoln Center Revival
Off-Broadway
1988   West End London Revival
West End
1994   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
2001   West End Royal National Theatre Production
West End
2005   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Concert
Off-Broadway
2008   Broadway Lincoln Center Revival
Broadway
2011   West End Lincoln Center Revival [West End]
West End
2022   US Tour Non Equity Tour
US Tour
2022   West End
West End

South Pacific - 2008 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2008 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actor in a Musical Paulo Szot
2008 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actress in a Musical Kelli O'Hara
2008 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical Bartlett Sher
2008 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Danny Burstein
2008 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Lighting Design Donald Holder
2008 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Revival of a Musical South Pacific
2008 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Set Design of a Musical Michael Yeargan
2008 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Sound Design Scott Lehrer
2008 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Actor in a Musical Paulo Szot
2008 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Actor in a Musical Paulo Szot
2008 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Actress in a Musical Kelli O'Hara
2008 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Choreography Christopher Gattelli
2008 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Costume Design Catherine Zuber
2008 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical Bartlett Sher
2008 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Danny Burstein
2008 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Revival of a Musical 0
2008 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Set Design Michael Yeargan
2008 The Hewes Awards Lighting Design Donald Holder
2008 Theatre World Awards Performance Loretta Ables Sayre
2008 Theatre World Awards Performance Paulo Szot
2008 Tony Awards Best Choreography Christopher Gattelli
2008 Tony Awards Best Costume Design of a Musical Catherine Zuber
2008 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Bartlett Sher
2008 Tony Awards Best Lighting Design of a Musical Donald Holder
2008 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Danny Burstein
2008 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Paulo Szot
2008 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Loretta Ables Sayre
2008 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Kelli O'Hara
2008 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Bob Boyett
2008 Tony Awards Best Revival of a Musical Lincoln Center Theater
2008 Tony Awards Best Scenic Design of a Musical Michael Yeargan
2008 Tony Awards Best Scenic Design of a Musical Michael Yeargan
2008 Tony Awards Best Sound Design of a Musical Scott Lehrer

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