SOUTH PACIFIC Heads to Ivoryton Playhouse This July

The issue of racism is front and center in America today and the Ivoryton Playhouse production of SOUTH PACIFIC could not be more timely. The story for Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1949 musical is drawn from a Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel by James A. Michener, entitled Tales of the South Pacific, and is considered by most critics to be among the greatest musicals of the twentieth century. For their adaptation, Rodgers and Hammerstein, along with co-writer Joshua Logan, won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950.

The original Broadway production won ten Tony Awards, including all four acting awards, and many of its songs went on to have a life of their own outside of the musical, including "Some Enchanted Evening," "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair," "Happy Talk," "Bali Ha'i," "Younger than Springtime," and "I'm in Love with a Wonderful Guy." It inspired a 1958 film adaptation and has enjoyed numerous successful revivals, including Broadway revivals in 1955 and 2008, and West End revivals in 1988 and 2001. The original production featured Mary Martin as Ensign Nellie Forbush and opera star Ezio Pinza, as Emile de Becque.

Ivoryton Playhouse is thrilled to announce that world renowned American bass-baritone David Pittsinger* will be reprising his Kennedy Center role as Emile de Becque in this production. He will be joined by his wife, internationally celebrated soprano Patricia Schuman, who will also be making her Ivoryton Playhouse debut, as Bloody Mary.

The Playhouse production of SOUTH PACIFIC is directed by David Edwards, who starred last year as Albin in our hugely popular production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. David has played both Cable and DeBecque and last directed this show at Surflight Theatre. Michael A. Dattillo is the Executive Producer.

Along with Pittsinger and Schuman, the show also features Peter Carrier* as Cable, Adrianne Hick* as Nellie, William Selby* as Billis, R. Bruce Connelly* as Captain Brackett and Annelise Cepero as Liat.

Musical directed by Michael McAssey, the set is designed by Daniel Nischan, lighting by Marcus Abbott and costumes by Lenore Grunko.

On Wednesday, July 1st at 7:30pm, the Playhouse is celebrating our local veterans and currently serving military by hosting a very special night. Honoring our Veterans and Soldiers Night offers half price tickets for veterans and active military and will raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project and Essex Veterans Memorial Hall. Call the box office at 860 767 7318 for more information.

South Pacific opens at the Ivoryton Playhouse on July 1st and runs through July 26th, 2015. Performance times are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm. There will be no performance on July 4th; there will be two additional Saturday matinees on July 18th and 25th at 2pm and one additional matinee on Thursday, July 16th.

Tickets are $42 for adults, $37 for seniors, $20 for students and $15 for children and are available by calling the Playhouse box office at 860-767-7318 or by visiting our website at www.ivorytonplayhouse.org (Group rates are available by calling the box office for information.) The Playhouse is located at 103 Main Street in Ivoryton.

*denotes member of Actors Equity