A full-scale enchanted evening is available at the Goodspeed Opera’s current production of Rogers & Hammerstein’s “South Pacific,” playing thru August 11 with both matinee and evening performances.
Danielle Wade stars as Ensign Nellie Forbush, torn and turning between scare of and love for Oman Lopez-Cepero as Emile de Becque, whose two dark-skinned children {Sky Vaux Fuller and EmJay Roa) from an earlier love would never be considered OK among old friends in her hometown of Little Rock.
Joan Almedilla is a terrific Bloody Mary, and Kevon Quillon a great Luther Billis. Cameron Loyal is Lt. Joseph Cable, and Alex Humphreys is Liat, who meets with him on Bali Ha’i. As the love for Liat develops, Cable’s Philadelphia background also intrudes on his emotions. It is Cable who spells out the courageous attack on prejudice, “You’ve got to be carefully taught.”
It might be foolish to imagine that structured prejudice is no longer part of the American experience, and in some ways that idea puts a challenge to directing this show as if the 1940’s are far behind us. But the audience when I saw the production cheered with appreciation for the happy ending as Nellie and Emile sang with the children.
Recommendation:
Call 860-873-8668 for tickets now.
