South Pacific 1951 - Articles Page 7

Opened: November 1, 1951

South Pacific - 1951 - West End History , Info & More

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
Catherine Street London WC2B 5JB London

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 - 1951 - West End Cast

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South Pacific - 1951 - West End Articles Page 7

Original Works, SWAN LAKE, THE NUTCRACKER & More Set for Houston Ballet's 2013-14 Season
by Tyler Peterson - Jul 5, 2013


Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch has announced the company's 2013-2014 season. Eight new works enter Houston Ballet's repertoire, including world premieres by James Kudelka, Garrett Smith and Melissa Hough in September 2013; the North American premiere of David Bintley's Aladdin in February 2014; company premieres of Jiri Kylian's Sechs Tanze, Christopher Bruce's Intimate Pages and Stanton Welch's Of Blessed Memory as well as a world premiere A Young Person's Guide to Orchestra by Mr. Welch in March 2014.

Darius Campbell Confirmed In FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, From Sept 2013
by Carrie Dunn - Jul 1, 2013


Casting has been announced for the world premiere of Tim Rice and Stuart Brayson's new stage musical From Here to Eternity which begins previews at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 30 September.

ETHEL SINGS: Espionage in High C Opens Today at Walker Space
by BWW News Desk - Jun 28, 2013


Undercover Productions will present the WORLD PREMIERE of ETHEL SINGS: Espionage in High C, written by Joan Beber. ETHEL SINGS begins previews on June 27th, with tonight's June 28th opening at Walker Space. Directed by Jules Aaron, ETHEL SINGS has set design by Gary Guidinger, lighting design by John Eckert Original Music by Max Kinberg & costume design by Michele Young. Sarah Brown stages manages & Sherry Netherland assistant directs. Ethel Sings is produced by Linda Toliver & Gary Guidinger for Undercover Productions.

ETHEL SINGS: Espionage in High C Opens June 28 at Walker Space
by Robert Diamond - Jun 15, 2013


Undercover Productions will present the WORLD PREMIERE of ETHEL SINGS: Espionage in High C, written by Joan Beber. ETHEL SINGS begins previews on June 27th, with a June 28th opening at Walker Space. Directed by Jules Aaron, ETHEL SINGS has set design by Gary Guidinger, lighting design by John Eckert Original Music by Max Kinberg & costume design by Michele Young. Sarah Brown stages manages & Sherry Netherland assistant directs. Ethel Sings is produced by Linda Toliver & Gary Guidinger for Undercover Productions.

Summer Stages: Sherry Cohen's Summer Picks in Connecticut
by Sherry Shameer Cohen - Jun 14, 2013


A tragedy? Why not?

Broadway's Barbara Cook Celebrates 85th Birthday at Segerstrom Center Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Apr 13, 2013


Broadway legend Barbara Cook returns to Segerstrom Center to celebrate her 85th birthday year with a performance in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall tonight, April 13 at 8 p.m.

Tickets on Sale Today for FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, Opens Sept 30
by BWW News Desk - Apr 5, 2013


Tickets go on sale today for the world premiere of new stage musical From Here to Eternity. The show will preview at the Shaftesbury Theatre from 30th September with Press Night on 23rd October 2013. Tickets can be bought from FromHereToEternityTheMusical.com or by calling box office on 020 7379 5399.

Broadway's Barbara Cook to Celebrate 85th Birthday at Segerstrom Center, 4/13
by BWW News Desk - Jan 29, 2013


Broadway legend Barbara Cook returns to Segerstrom Center to celebrate her 85th birthday year with a performance in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall on Saturday April 13 at 8 p.m.

Berkeley Playhouse Opens 5th Season with THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Now thru 12/2
by BWW News Desk - Oct 27, 2012


Berkeley Playhouse opens its fifth season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved final collaboration, THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Berkeley Playhouse founding Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy helms this endearing family classic, featuring a cast of 40, with musical direction by Greg Mason and choreography by Staci Arriaga. THE SOUND OF MUSIC plays tonight, October 27 through December 2 (Press opening: October 27) at the Julia Morgan Theatre in Berkeley.

Berkeley Playhouse Opens 5th Season with THE SOUND OF MUSIC, 10/27-12/2
by BWW News Desk - Sep 15, 2012


Berkeley Playhouse opens its fifth season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved final collaboration, THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Berkeley Playhouse founding Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy helms this endearing family classic, featuring a cast of 40, with musical direction by Greg Mason and choreography by Staci Arriaga. THE SOUND OF MUSIC plays October 27 through December 2 (Press opening: October 27) at the Julia Morgan Theatre in Berkeley.

The Theatre Museum Gala Honors Stagedoor Manor with Star Alumni Appearances, 4/23
by BWW News Desk - Apr 22, 2012


Since 1976, young artists have flocked to Stagedoor Manor to pursue their dreams of performing. And on Monday, April 30, 2012, some of the Manor's best and brightest will pay tribute to their alma mater as it receives the prestigious Theatre Arts Education Award at the 2012 Theatre Museum Awards Gala Celebration. See photos of this year's alumni participants below!

THE KING & I Starring Kelli O'Hara Headed to Lincoln Center?
by Robert Diamond - Apr 18, 2012


Michael Riedel reports in today's New York Post that Lincoln Center Theater 'wants the Beaumont for its next big production - a revival of THE KING AND I starring Kelli O'Hara.' BroadwayWorld.com first reported back in 2011 that the theatre was considering a Bartlett Sher helmed revival of the classic show. O'Hara is currently starring opposite Matthew Broderick in NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT.

Eric Ankrim, Alexandra Zorn Lead OKLAHOMA! At 5th Avenue Theatre Thru 3.4
by BWW News Desk - Mar 4, 2012


The 5th Avenue Theatre brings the wide open plains to Seattle with a reimagining of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Matthew Morrison to Host Oscar Hammerstein Tribute on PBS Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Mar 3, 2012


As previously announced, OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II - OUT OF MY DREAMS will premiere on PBS stations beginning tonight (check local listings).

Finborough Theatre's GAY'S THE WORD Closes
by BWW News Desk - Feb 20, 2012


The Finborough Theatre's 'Celebrating British Music Theatre' series follows Perchance to Dream with Ivor Novello's last musical.

THE KING AND I Opens at Playhouse Merced, 2/3
by BWW News Desk - Feb 3, 2012


"The King and I," a musical about a British schoolteacher and her adventures with the King of Siam, begins a three-weekend run on the Playhouse Merced mainstage Friday, February 3 at 7:30 pm.

Eric Ankrim, Alexandra Zorn Lead OKLAHOMA! At 5th Avenue Theatre 2.3-3.4
by BWW News Desk - Feb 3, 2012


The 5th Avenue Theatre is bringing the wide open plains to Seattle this February with a reimagining of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Theatre Museum Awards Announce 2012 Honorees: Frederick O. Olsson, Stagedoor Manor & TCG
by Kelsey Denette - Feb 1, 2012


Monday, April 30, 2012 is the day when the Theatre Museum Awards return to the stage to honor and celebrate outstanding achievement in the theatre industry.

THE KING AND I Opens at Playhouse Merced, 2/3
by Kelsey Denette - Jan 28, 2012


"The King and I," a musical about a British schoolteacher and her adventures with the King of Siam, begins a three-weekend run on the Playhouse Merced mainstage Friday, February 3 at 7:30 pm.

Frank Barrie, James Bentham Lead Finborough Theatre's GAY'S THE WORD
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jan 27, 2012


The Finborough Theatre's 'Celebrating British Music Theatre' series follows Perchance to Dream with Ivor Novello's last musical.

Shall We Dance and Think About Privilege and Race? THE KING AND I at Toby's
by Jack L. B. Gohn - Jan 24, 2012


Rodgers and Hammerstein designed the ending to reduce you to tears, and they knew what they were doing. Resist, even at this excellent revival,and think about the conundrums of race, class and gender that that lie just beneath the surface.

Matthew Morrison to Host Oscar Hammerstein Tribute on PBS, 3/3
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 18, 2012


PBS announced today that OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II - OUT OF MY DREAMS will premiere on PBS stations beginning March 3, 2012 (check local listings). Hosted by Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe nominated Matthew Morrison (Glee), who starred in the 2008 Tony-winning revival of South Pacific as Lieutenant Cable, the film is a celebration of the most acclaimed lyricist and librettist of the 20th century, the man who worked in the theater for over 40 years, writing the lyrics for over a thousand songs and the libretti for dozens of operettas and musicals performed on Broadway, in London and in Hollywood films. His legendary works include Rose-Marie (1924), Show Boat (1927), Oklahoma! (1943), Carousel (1945), South Pacific (1949), The King and I (1951) and The Sound of Music (1959). Brimming over with movie clips from his greatest musicals, this new PBS special features interviews with Stephen Sondheim, Harold Prince, Shirley Jones, Mitzi Gaynor, Hammerstein family members and others.

Eric Ankrim, Alexandra Zorn Lead OKLAHOMA! At 5th Avenue Theatre 2.3-3.4
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jan 13, 2012


The 5th Avenue Theatre is bringing the wide open plains to Seattle this February with a reimagining of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Director, Teacher Heidi Helen Davis Passes Away at 60
by Kelsey Denette - Dec 20, 2011


Director, teacher and actress Heidi Helen Davis known for her work in Los Angeles at the Theatricum Botanicum, Mark Taper Forum, East West Players and Ensemble Studio Theatre has died. She was 60. Ms. Davis died December 15th at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles after a yearlong struggle with breast cancer. Her son and ex-husband were by her side.

Harry Connick Jr.-Led ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER Opens Today
by BWW News Desk - Dec 11, 2011


The newly imagined Broadway production of ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER starring Grammy and Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Harry Connick, Jr. opens tonight at The St James Theatre.

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.

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