South Pacific 1949 - Articles Page 4

Opened: April 7, 1949

South Pacific - 1949 - Broadway History , Info & More

Broadway Theatre (Broadway)
1681 Broadway New York, NY

Based on "Tales of the South Pacific" by James A. Michener

The plot of South Pacific centers on an American nurse stationed on a South Pacific island during World War II who falls in love with a middle-aged expatriate French plantation owner. This story is intertwined with a secondary romance, between a U.S. lieutenant and a young Tonkinese woman.



The original Broadway production enjoyed immense critical and box-office success and became the second-longest running Broadway musical to that point (behind Rodgers and Hammerstein's earlier Oklahoma!). Because of its exploration of racial and social issues of the day, the show won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950. Several of its songs, including "Bali Ha'i", "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair", "Some Enchanted Evening", "There Is Nothing Like a Dame", "Happy Talk" and Younger Than Springtime" have become popular standards.



The production won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score, and it is the only musical production to win Tony Awards in all four acting categories. Its original cast album was the bestselling record of the 1940s, and other recordings of the show have also been popular. The show has enjoyed many successful revivals and tours, spawning a 1958 film and television adaptations. The 2008 Broadway revival won seven Tonys, including Best Musical Revival.

South Pacific - 1949 - Broadway Cast

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South Pacific - 1949 - Broadway Articles Page 4

BWW Review: SOUTH PACIFIC at Candlelight Theatre
by Greer Firestone - Jul 19, 2019


Such a serendipitous time to stage SOUTH PACIFIC at Candlelight; 1949 legendary musical theatre consciously plotted to speak to racial animosity; brown skins vs white skins. And now, 78 years later, we reside in a country riven by a racist president.

Riverside Center For The Performing Arts Presents SOUTH PACIFIC
by Julie Musbach - Jul 1, 2019


Riverside Center for the Performing Arts is excited to celebrate the 70th anniversary of South Pacific with its production opening Wednesday, July 24 and running until Sunday, September 15.

Nathan Gunn Joins Aspen Fest's One Night Only Concert Performance of SOUTH PACIFIC
by Julie Musbach - Jun 25, 2019


The Aspen Music Festival and School and Theatre Aspen announced today that opera and musical theatre actor Nathan Gunn will replace the previously announced Will Swenson in the role of Emile de Becque in the organizations' first ever collaboration of a one-night-only concert production of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic musical South Pacific on Monday, July 22 at 7:30 pm in the Benedict Music Tent.

Review Roundup: SOUTH PACIFIC at Flat Rock Playhouse; What Did The Critics Think?
by Alan Henry - Jun 20, 2019


Flat Rock Playhouse continues the 2019 Season with summer blockbuster musical and Broadway classic, South Pacific. Known for its glorious score by Rodgers and Hammerstein, the show transports audiences to the Pacific Islands in World War II as young couples struggle with the dynamics of love, war, and faith. Yet, South Pacific also showcases a vibrant, delightful comedic side found in the business of everyday life: raising children, relationship squabbles, and workplace gossip.

Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival Announces Lineup
by Stephi Wild - Jun 4, 2019


The 14th Annual Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival is pleased to announce the details of its full 2019 program in September, titled Tennessee Williams and Yukio Mishima.

Christy Altomare, Will Swenson, And More Join Aspen Music Fest & Theatre Aspen's SOUTH PACIFIC in Concert
by Julie Musbach - May 30, 2019


Aspen Music Festival and School and Theatre Aspen today announced principal casting for the organizations' first ever collaboration of a one-night-only concert production of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic musical South Pacific on Monday, July 22 at 7:30 pm in the Benedict Music Tent.

Flat Rock Playhouse Presents SOUTH PACIFIC
by Julie Musbach - May 28, 2019


Flat Rock Playhouse continues the 2019 Season with summer blockbuster musical and Broadway classic, South Pacific. Known for its glorious score by Rodgers and Hammerstein, the show transports audiences to the Pacific Islands in World War II as young couples struggle with the dynamics of love, war, and faith. Yet, South Pacific also showcases a vibrant, delightful comedic side found in the business of everyday life: raising children, relationship squabbles, and workplace gossip.

VIDEO: Who Will Win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama? Watch Live at 3pm!
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 15, 2019


Today, April 15 (3pm EST), Pulitzer Prize Administrator Dana Canedy will announce the winners of the the 2019 Pulitzer Prizes, including the finalists and winners for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. This announcement marks the 103rd year of the Prizes. For more information on this year's and all past years' winners and finalists, please visit http://www.Pulitzer.org.

Breaking: Jackie Sibblies Drury's FAIRVIEW Wins the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 15, 2019


It was just announced by Pulitzer Prize Administrator Dana Canedy that Jackie Sibblies Drury's Fairview has officially won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Theatre Aspen and the Aspen Music Festival and School Co-Present SOUTH PACIFIC in Concert
by Julie Musbach - Apr 3, 2019


This summer, on July 22 at 7:30 pm, Theatre Aspen and the Aspen Music Festival and School co-present South Pacific in one enchanted evening, when award-winning Broadway music and stars come together with a full orchestra in the Benedict Music Tent in Aspen.

Tony Award Recipient And Broadway Legend Baayork Lee Directs City Springs Theatre's SOUTH PACIFIC
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 6, 2019


City Springs Theatre, Atlanta's newest professional theatre company, presents Broadway'sWilliam Michals and Kristine Reese in Rodgers and Hammerstein's 'South Pacific,'the glorious classic that poetically parallels two love stories threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. The original 1949 Broadway production, based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, 'Tales of the South Pacific,' by James A. Michener, garnered 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The acclaimed 2008 Lincoln Center Theater production received seven Tony Awards, the most of any musical revival. Directed by Tony Award recipient and Broadway legend Baayork Lee, 'South Pacific'plays the Byers Theatre at TheSandy Springs Performing Arts Center (1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs) March 8 - 17, 2019. Tickets are $30 - $62, with discounts for seniors, students, groups, and active and retired military personnel. Visit www.CitySpringsTheatre.comor call 404-477-4365 for more information.

BWW BLOG: 2019 Summer Stock Regional Theatre Opportunities
by Jessica Vanek - Jan 6, 2019


BWW BLOG: 2019 Summer Stock Regional Theatre Opportunities

BWW Review: SOUTH PACIFIC at Rubicon Theatre Company
by Cary Ginell - Dec 21, 2018


The Rubicon Theatre Company brings back a Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, 'South Pacific,' in a uniquely intimate two-piano version, featuring stellar performances and a ravishing set design. This one will be talked about for years to come.

Photo Flash: First Look at Rubicon Theatre Company's SOUTH PACIFIC
by Stephi Wild - Dec 8, 2018


Rubicon Theatre's 20th Anniversary Season culminates with a two-piano version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's soaring epic South Pacific, helmed by award-winning director KATHARINE FARMER and featuring a cast of 28 led by Tony honoree BEN DAVIS (Baz Luhrmann's La Boheme) and MADISON CLAIRE PARKS (Luisa in The Fantasticks Off-Broadway).

Photo Flash: First Look at Rubicon Theater Company's SOUTH PACIFIC
by Stephi Wild - Dec 2, 2018


This Thursday, December 7 marks the anniversary of the air raid on Pearl Harbor in which Japanese planes attacked a United States Naval Air Base in the Territory of Hawaii in the Pacific. Thousands of Americans lost their lives or were injured, and more than 300 ships were destroyed. The event brought citizens together in support of U.S. participation in the war. President Roosevelt addressed the nation, calling the event, 'a day that will live in infamy.'

Rubicon Theatre Company Concludes 20th Anniversary Season With SOUTH PACIFIC
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 14, 2018


Rubicon Theatre's 20th Anniversary Season culminates with a two-piano version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's soaring epic South Pacific, helmed by award-winning director KATHARINE FARMER and featuring a cast of 28 led by Tony honoree BEN DAVIS (Baz Luhrmann's La Boheme) and MADISON CLAIRE PARKS (Luisa in The Fantasticks Off-Broadway). 

BWW Review: PARFUMERIE Takes Much Too Long to Get to the Love Story at its Heart
by Shari Barrett - Nov 6, 2018


The 1936 Hungarian play PARFUMERIE by Miklos Laszlo has the humble distinction of living in the shadow of the more famous movies (and Broadway musical) that it inspired. In fact, Hollywood has cashed in on the play not once but three times - the first adaptation was the 1940 Ernst Lubitsch romantic comedy 'The Shop Around the Corner,' starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan, which was followed by the 1949 screen musical version 'In the Good Old Summertime,' starring Judy Garland, and much later by the 1998 Nora Ephron movie 'You've Got Mail,' with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. And of course, the Broadway musical 'She Loves Me' - adapted from the play by Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and Joe Masteroff - opened in New York in 1963 and is now one of the most beloved (and revived) musicals during the Christmas season each year. All I can say is for those who enjoy this story of mistaken identity between pen-pal lovers should see one of those versions

Carol Channing Award Presented In Little Rock
by Julie Musbach - Oct 25, 2018


Carol Channing Award Presented In Little Rock; The Little Rock theatre community came together at the Argenta Community Theatre in North Little Rock for its annual Dark Night. Dark Night is an evening to celebrate and honor live theatre in Central Arkansas. The Nellie Award is named after Nellie Forbush from Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific and is given to a group or individuals for its involvement with and support of live theatre in Central Arkansas.

American Blues Theater and Goodman Theatre Lead 50th Annual Jeff Awards
by Julie Musbach - Oct 23, 2018


The Jeff Awards celebrated their 50th anniversary on Monday, October 22,2018 during a spirited and nostalgic ceremony at Drury Lane Oakbrook.

SOUTH PACIFIC at Olney Theatre Center - It was an Enchanting Afternoon
by Charles Shubow - Oct 1, 2018


Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical if given a memorable presentation.

BWW Review: SOUTH PACIFIC at Theatre In The Park
by Alan Portner - Jun 24, 2018


'South Pacific' at the huge 'Theatre In The Park' outdoor amphitheater is a super community theater rendition of the Rogers and Hammerstein 1949 ground-breaking classic.   The scene is a tiny island on the stepping stone chain of Polynesian Islands being retaken by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps following the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941.

SOUTH PACIFIC Comes Ashore at Theatre in the Park
by BWW News Desk - Jun 22, 2018


Love conquering prejudice is one of the powerful themes of Rodgers and Hammerstein's memorable musical SOUTH PACIFIC, the second production on Theatre in the Park's (TTIP) 2018 summer outdoor season. TTIP's most often requested musical, SOUTH PACIFIC will have seven performances at the outdoor amphitheater Today through Sunday, June 22-24 and the following Wednesday through Saturday June 27-30. Showtime for all productions is 8:30 p.m. with gates opening at 7 p.m.

SOUTH PACIFIC Comes Ashore at Theatre in the Park
by Stephi Wild - Jun 19, 2018


Love conquering prejudice is one of the powerful themes of Rodgers and Hammerstein's memorable musical SOUTH PACIFIC, the second production on Theatre in the Park's (TTIP) 2018 summer outdoor season. TTIP's most often requested musical, SOUTH PACIFIC will have seven performances at the outdoor amphitheater Friday through Sunday, June 22-24 and the following Wednesday through Saturday June 27-30. Showtime for all productions is 8:30 p.m. with gates opening at 7 p.m.

VIDEO: Get A First Look At La Mirada's SOUTH PACIFIC
by Alan Henry - Apr 27, 2018


LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & McCOY RIGBY ENTERTAINMENT present the fourth show of its 2017-2018 season (and the 40th anniversary of the iconic theatre) with SOUTH PACIFIC, book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan (adapted from the Pulitzer Prize winning novel 'Tales of the South Pacific' by James A. Michener), music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, with musical direction by Brent Crayon, choreography by Peggy Hickey and directed by Glenn Casale. SOUTH PACIFIC will preview on Friday, April 20, 2018 (with a press opening on Saturday, April 21 at 8pm) and run through Sunday, May 13, 2018 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd in La Mirada. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production! Check out the video below!

BWW Review: Appealing New Production of SOUTH PACIFIC Sails Into La Mirada Theater
by Michael Quintos - Apr 27, 2018


Armed with a grand, sweeping songbook from Rodgers and Hammerstein, and a romantic, progressive-for-its-time book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan, it is difficult not to be continually enchanted by SOUTH PACIFIC, the groundbreaking 1949 stage musical based on James A. Michener's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Even better… sandwiched between memorable songs, romantic interludes, and cheeky, comedic banter is the show's surprisingly candid exploration of race relations---a topic that is, of course, still very much top-of-mind in today's seemingly more divided world. With such important ideological stakes in mind, when a production of this musical presents its material well and in the best possible light, you're almost always guaranteed a show that can still pack an emotional wallop while entertaining you at the same time. Such is the case with McCoy Rigby Entertainment's irresistibly appealing new production of SOUTH PACIFIC, now currently on stage at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts through May 13, 2018.

South Pacific FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of South Pacific have there been?
South Pacific has had 15 productions including Broadway which opened in 1949, Broadway which opened in 1949, US Tour which opened in 1950, West End which opened in 1951, Broadway which opened in 1955, Broadway which opened in 1955, Off-Broadway which opened in 1967, West End which opened in 1988, Milburn, NJ (Regional) which opened in 1994, West End which opened in 2001, Off-Broadway which opened in 2005, Broadway which opened in 2008, West End which opened in 2011, US Tour which opened in 2022 and West End which opened in 2022.
What Tony Awards has South Pacific been nominated for?
Best Musical , , Best Direction for Joshua Logan, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Oscar Hammerstein II, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Joshua Logan, Producer (Musical) for Leland Hayward, Producer (Musical) for Oscar Hammerstein II, Producer (Musical) for Joshua Logan Producer (Musical) for Richard Rodgers and Best Scenic Design for Jo Mielziner.
What Tony Awards has South Pacific won?
Best Musical, Best Direction for Joshua Logan Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Oscar Hammerstein II Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Joshua Logan Producer (Musical) for Leland Hayward Producer (Musical) for Oscar Hammerstein II Producer (Musical) for Joshua Logan Producer (Musical) for Richard Rodgers, Best Scenic Design for Jo Mielziner, .
What awards has South Pacific been nominated for?
South Pacific has been nominated for several prestigious awards. It was nominated for Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Additionally, both Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, the creators of South Pacific, were nominated for The Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
What awards has South Pacific won?
South Pacific has won several awards, including Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. It also received the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama, with Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II both being recognized for their contributions.

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