Review: 'South Pacific'

Having already reviewed the Lincoln Centre Theatre production that has been playing in New York the last two years, I am very happy to report that the South Pacific now on view at The Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts is the kind of touring production you always hope for but so seldom get.

It diligently explores the depth of meaning behind Oscar Hammerstein and Joshua Logan's text without neglecting one melodious note of Richard Rodgers' music.

 

While the ensemble may be a bit smaller (there are fewer Seabees and nurses) the full orchestration is used and played to sheer perfection under the careful direction of Lawrence Goldberg. The Overture does seem a bit rushed and it has been abridged - modern audiences just won't sit for a six minute overture any more. Their loss. Once the story takes the stage, however, we can surrender to the beauty and passion that drives this show making it one of those special theatrical experiences you will always remember.

Jason Howard makes a suavely dashing Emile DeBeque, effortlessly adapting a basso role for his rich warm baritone. In the dramatic scenes he proves to be every bit as good an actor as he is a singer.

With every little gesture Carmen Cusack explores all the lurking insecurities of Ensign Nellie Forbush.  She can communicate so much of what the character is thinking and feeling with just a glance, and watch as she positively melts to the hypnotic sounds of her leading man's singing voice. Not that her singing comes up anything short of magnificent.

Without ever ignoring the mystery of Bloody Mary Jodi Kimura wins the audience over with laughter before she delves into the darker side of the role showing us the desperation that drives Mary's actions. To watch her sing "Happy Talk" is to observe a master class in acting subtext. 

She is supported in this endeavor by Anderson Davis as Lieutenant Joe Cable. His performance too is a marvel, arriving so rigid you feel he will break when he sits down, only to loosen up and ultimately surrender as passion is awakened in him by the beautiful Liat. His "Younger Than Springtime" rival's Jason Howard's "Some Enchanted Evening" as the evening's most sensual song.

 But there's more to come: The anger that takes over him as he spits out Hammerstein's spot on analysis of the root of prejudice in "Carefully Taught" will shake modern audiences just as it was intended to do.

The lighter side is handled by Matthew Saldivar with his portrayal of the conniving Luther Billis. Director Bartlett Sher ensures that every member of the company creates a three-dimensional character, and he has encouraged the performers to explore every subtle nuance of the text. It is this attention to detail that made the Broadway production such a winner and happily it has been carried over to this first class touring edition.

 

South Pacific plays at The Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts until September 5. For tickets visit www.dancaptickets.com or call 416-644-3665.

To post a comment, you must register and login.