BWW Interviews: Aubrey Dan Talks SOUTH PACIFIC

The Lincoln Center Production of South Pacific was one of the most successful revivals to hit New York stages in recent memory.  Winner of 8 Tony Awards, the show has been touring North America and was extremely warmly received last September in Toronto.  It played to sold out audiences and received much praise from critics, and now Dancap Productions is bringing the show back one last time before the tour closes completely.  BWW sat down to talk with Dancap President Aubrey Dan about the show, as well as the upcoming 2011 Dancap Subscription Season:

Congratulations on the success of South Pacific! Toronto really embraced the show the last time, what was your main reason for deciding to bring it back?

The overwhelmingly positive response to South Pacific by our customers and the theatre critics during the summer of 2010 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, along with the fact that only 50,000+ people saw the show during that short run, made us want to bring it back to the Toronto Centre for the Arts where, out of the 1.2 million people that saw Jersey Boys, we barely scratched the surface of the show's full potential audience.

Obviously this will be a great opportunity for people who missed the show the last time (like myself) to get to see it, but do you think you'll see ticket-buyers returning to see it again?

Yes, South Pacific is a classic musical and many people will want to experience it again. As for all the others who were unable to catch it during the short run last summer, this is the last stop on the tour and the very last chance to see this historic revival.

South Pacific is returning at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, former home of Jersey Boys. How do you feel about getting to present this show in that venue? Do you think more people from outside the downtown core will be able more attracted to attend in this location?

The fact that the Toronto Centre for the Arts (TCA) is so accessible from Highway 401, makes attending this production of South Pacific even more appealing to everyone outside of the downtown core or those who find it difficult to drive in downtown Toronto. We are also very excited about presenting South Pacific at the TCA as we can offer Prix Fixe dining by Dancap Catering right inside the TCA. Add in the underground parking and you have the most convenient night making it convenient for our customers to have the Dancap experience.

This time around you have two acclaimed Opera stars alternating the lead role (David Pittsinger and Jason Howard), how do you think the different casting will affect the production?

David and Jason both are both brilliant in their interpretation of Emile de Becque and I wouldn't be surprised if some people come to see the show twice! Many women have told me that David and Jason are both very dreamy!

Finally, South Pacific is kicking off an exciting season for Dancap which sees many New York hits coming to Toronto - what show are you most excited about? And how would you like to see Toronto audiences respond?

I am excited about all our shows as they really are the Best of Broadway in all respects. I am convinced Toronto audiences will eat up all our shows and will come back asking for more! We may even be in the same position again where we have to bring back one of our subscriptions shows, like south Pacific, for a longer run.

When and Where?

South Pacific

Toronto Centre for the Arts

February 15th-April 10th, 2011

Tickets can be purchased at the box office, by phone at 416-644-3665 or online at www.dancaptickets.com

The 2011 Dancap Subscription Series kicks off with South Pacific and also includes 9 to 5: The Musical, next to normal, Come Fly Away, The Addams Family and last year's Tony Award Winner for Best Musical - Memphis.

For the first time ever, Dancap is pleased to be offering a new program called Flexi-Subscription where buyers can build their own subscription series and save on tickets. Starting at $108, the flexi-subscription allows you to choose a minimum of three shows that you want to see the most and build from there. Benefits of the package include savings of 15% off ticket prices, savings on ticket exchanges, restaurant discounts and advance purchase opportunities.

For South Pacific Dancap is also bringing back its Dinner Theatre Packages! The package starts at $129 (per person) and includes a prix fixe, three-course dinner at the Toronto Centre for the Arts Piano Lounge and orchestra admission to the show. For more details on the package, visit their website.

 

 

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