Hello again readers! There is excitement in the air here at TUTS as we are on the brink of another opening night. This time Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific is gracing the TUTS stage March 9 – 21. With a show steeped in history and literature that I find myself doing the usual pre-show behaviors of reading everything I can get my hands on about the show. Yes, dear readers, I am a sucker for all things trivial when it comes to movies and musicals. Call me if ever you find yourself on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and need to “phone a friend.”
One of my favorite books to refer for all things Rodgers & Hammerstein is simply titled “Rodgers & Hammerstein” by Ethan Mordden. Not only is it full of lush photos and information, but also makes for an attractive coffee table book! This week I eagerly thumbed through the tattered pages of this visibly worn guide to find the chapter on South Pacific. I’m sure many of you have seen this American classic before so a brief synopsis isn’t necessary. However, I would like to share with you some deliciously fun facts that are not well known. By the way, feel free to share this insider information amongst your friends….they will be impressed by your musical theatre knowledge!
- South Pacific was inspired by a novel written by James A. Michener called Tales of the South Pacific. The book consisted of several stories with a wide range of characters. Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan, co-authors of the libretto, magically meshed all the stories into one and shortened the title to South Pacific.
- Ever wonder why Nellie and Emile never sing together? There’s a reason for that! Rodgers & Hammerstein were set on having a leading lady who could belt out her lyrics a la Ethel Merman or Judy Garland. When Mary Martin was cast as Nellie, her “Broadway” voice didn’t match Ezio Pinza’s (Emile) opera-house bravura. To avoid the two voices singing together, the music and lyrics were written to have Nellie and Emile sing alternately.
- To portray the timeless, repetitive waiting the Seabees encountered while on the island, co-author, director and choreographer Joshua Logan had the actors pace back and forth on stage while singing “There Is Nothing Like A Dame”.
- Many of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musicals deal with serious social issues. In South Pacific the main characters find themselves dealing with the prejudices of race. Because Nellie is able to overlook Emile’s differences and Polynesian children, her love story ends happily. Lt. Cable’s story ends tragically when he refuses to marry the Polynesian Liat.
- South Pacific is Rodgers & Hammerstein’s most popular score ever written. Every number in this show is well known. While Oklahoma! and The Sound of Music are considered their most popular shows, each have at least one forgettable song (Oklahoma! with “It’s a Scandal! It’s a Outrage!” and The Sound of Music’s “An Ordinary Couple.”).
Still yearning for more information but dread the Google search? No worries! TUTS has what you need all in one place! With each show TUTS provides an online study guide for parents, educators, and even the inquisitive patron. These guides are jam-packed with information ranging from show history, song lists, activities and lessons. Just last week my daughter Roxy completed a crossword puzzle from the South Pacific study guide (with a little help from her mother, of course). These dandy little tools are available by visiting the TUTS website and clicking on a show’s icon. From there you are given additional show specific links including buying tickets, reading the Playbill, finding special events, and the study guide.
Now you know my little secret of using the study guides, will you utilize them as well? Or do you partake in any pre-show rituals you’d like to share? Perhaps you have an interesting tidbit about Rodgers & Hammerstein or South Pacific. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
See you under the stars at South Pacific!
Thea