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Regional Reviews: Phoenix South Pacific Also see Gil's review of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
This 1949 musical, with a book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan and based on James A. Michener's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Tales of the South Pacific," is centered on the relationship between Emile de Becque, a sophisticated middle aged planter with a complicated past and the younger Ensign Nellie Forbush, a nurse from Little Rock, Arkansas, who describes herself as a "hick." Set on a South Seas island inhabited by plantation owners and the Tonkinese natives, but now taken over partly by the U.S. Navy, the story effectively captures the spirit of the American service men and women who are stationed on this island far from home during World War II. The plot focuses on a crucial turning point in the war in the Pacific and the lingering issue of racism, not only in the United States, but also very much present on this tropical paradise. David Rodgers is perfect as Emile. His forceful, clear voice does justice to his songs, including a lush, romantic "Some Enchanted Evening" and a passionate "This Nearly Was Mine." He also effectively portrays how taken he is by Nellie. Lauren Koeritzer has the most range to play as Nellie, from her budding fascination with Emile, to her compassion for her fellow service men and women and the engrained racism that she is forced to confront when it rears its ugly head. She hits all of the notes appropriately (both musically and dramatically), while completely avoiding any cuteness that could undermine her portrayal. The natural approach from both Rodgers and Koeritzer is refreshing and ends up with both creating realistic, fleshed out and nuanced characters. They also both use accents that are consistent throughout. The romance between Emile and Nellie isn't the only one present in the show, with the loud mouth, animated Bloody Mary (a superb Ginger Muth Tanaka) conspiring to find a man for her daughter Liat (the poised and demure Jacqui Notorio) from the many US military men she comes in contact with. Mary thinks she has found him in the handsome Lt. Joseph Cable (Rob Dominguez) but, like the main romance in the musical, finds that all doesn't go as planned. Tanaka is a charmer in the role, bringing this assured and cunning business woman to life in a very large and vibrant way, and Dominguez delivers a straight forward approach to the part of the smart, rich Lieutenant with his two solos, a romantic "Younger than Springtime" and the biting "You've Got to be Carefully Taught," hitting all the right marks. Rick Davis brings plenty of comedy to Luther Billis, the always planning and conspiring leader of the Seabees, who is fascinated with the rituals of the natives and making a fast buck but also somewhat infatuated with Nellie. Like Tanaka's Bloody Mary, Davis' Billis may be a comic caricature, but both he and Tanaka balance the comedic and dramatic elements of their characters with ease, thereby crafting memorable characters in the process. As Capt. Brackett, Fred Gerle is perfectly military on the surface, which is a good thing, but also instills a sensitive side underneath, evoking a realistic portrayal of a three dimensional man. The rest of the small ensemble portray various parts, with Simon Ridley, Matthew Earnest and Morgan Tanner doing nice work in playing the fun and rambunctious Seabees. Gary Caswell directs with simplicity, letting the words and lyrics speak for themselves, something that really comes across well in the intimacy of the small theatre. Caswell also stages his scenes with subtle shifts in movement so you never feel left out of the action, even if you're on one of the far sides of the thrust stage. Choreographer Hannah Gerle's steps are somewhat basic, but add a nice amount of movement for the small cast. The small theatre means that the vast expanse of Emile's plantation and the beach that is supposed to be full of military personnel can't really be portrayed, since there is no room for an elaborate set design. However, a lovely backdrop painting by Don Bluth helps to evoke the romantic call of the islands. Corinne Hawkins' costumes are period appropriate and fun and Curtis Watson's lighting uses subtle shifts to portray both the heat of the day and the romantic, shadowy mystery of this far away land. While it has plenty of show stopping romantic numbers and musical comedy songs, South Pacific isn't your traditional musical, as it explores two parallel stories that deal with race and interracial relationships. With a small but talented cast, solid direction and fine creative aspects, the production of South Pacific at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre is a sturdy, pleasant production of this groundbreaking musical that has plenty of show stopping moments but also doesn't skirt the social issues at the core. South Pacific runs at the Don Bluth Front Row Theatre through September 19th, 2015. For more information on this production or to order tickets, go to www.donbluthfrontrowtheatre.com or call 480 314-0841. Director: Gary Caswell Cast: (in order of appearance)
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