South Pacific 1951 - Articles Page 1.8

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.

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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.

The Muny Announces Complete Casting For PAINT YOUR WAGON
by Alan Henry - May 29, 2019


The Muny announced today its complete cast, design and production team for Lerner and Loewe's Paint Your Wagon, the sixth show of its second century, July 27 – August 2. Lerner and Loewe's Paint Your Wagon is proudly sponsored by Ameren.     

Photo Coverage: Robert Cuccioli, Jill Paice & More Sing the Musicals of 1943 & 1951 at BROADWAY BY THE YEAR
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Mar 26, 2019


The Town Hall just presented Broadway By The Year: Broadway Musicals of 1943 and 1951 last night, March 25th at 8pm. Created, written, hosted and directed by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall, the evening continues Broadway By The Year's 19th season at The Town Hall (123 W. 43rd Street).

Robert Cuccioli, Jill Paice, and More Join BROADWAY BY THE YEAR
by Julie Musbach - Mar 7, 2019


The Town Hall presents Broadway By The Year: Broadway Musicals of 1943 and 1951 onMonday, March 25th at 8pm. Created, written, hosted and directed by Scott Siegel for The Town Hall, the evening continues Broadway By The Year's 19th season at The Town Hall (123 W. 43rd Street).

BWW Review: THE KING AND I Enchants Regally At The Hippodrome
by Cybele Pomeroy - Feb 25, 2019


THE KING AND I plays through Sunday, February 24th at the Hippodrome in Baltimore. Singing and dancing along to the oh-so-familiar tunes is going a bit far, though some members of the audience are humming to themselves as the orchestra begins to tune.

THE KING AND I National Tour Comes To Madison This Month
by Stephi Wild - Feb 11, 2019


NETworks Presentations announces that the national tour of the Lincoln Center Theater Production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I, based on the 2015 Tony Award -winning Lincoln Center Theater Production, will make its Madison premiere at Overture Center Tuesday, Feb. 26-Sunday, March 3, 2019 as part of the Broadway at Overture series. Tickets are available at the Overture Center Ticket Office (201 State Street), by phone (608.258.4141) or online (overture.org). Groups of 10+ may be eligible for discounted tickets; for information, please call 608.258.4159.

THE KING AND I Comes To The Washington Pavilion
by Stephi Wild - Jan 15, 2019


NETworks Presentations LLC announces that the national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I, based on the 2015 Tony Award-winning Lincoln Center Theater Production, will make its Sioux Falls premiere in at the Washington Pavilion for three shows on January 29-31, 2019.

Review: BWW's Michael L. Quintos Picks Best of O.C. and Beyond for 2018
by Michael Quintos - Dec 29, 2018


As with each passing season, 2018 proved to be another exceptional year for theater not only in Souther California in general but also in Orange County---my home base. This year, the OC finally welcomed the debut of what has become this century's most awarded and most renowned stage musical ever about the Founding Father etched regally on the 10 dollar bill. Meanwhile, So. Cal. enjoyed a powerful surge of new stage works that explored Asian-American experiences, a positive step forward in the presentation of diverse voices we seldom hear from on the stage. A pair of touring musicals---both opening in the O.C. in early 2019---made such an impact in their Los Angeles engagements for me personally that I had to include them in my list, even though I have not 'officially' reviewed the productions for print. With that said, here is my 'Best of 2018' from Orange County and adjacent locales nearby---a mixture of outstanding shows and brilliant performances that made a lasting, memorable imprint in my theatergoing experience this year.

THE KING AND I Heads to Raleigh
by Julie Musbach - Dec 17, 2018


NETworks Presentations LLC announces that the national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I, based on the 2015 Tony Award ®-winning Lincoln Center Theater Production, will make its Raleigh premiere at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing arts for 8 shows, March 19-24, 2019 as part of the North Carolina Theatre Season. To purchase tickets, visit www.ticketmaster.com, call 800-745-3000 or visit the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts Box Office. Ticket prices start at $25. Casting will be announced at a future time.

New Philharmonic's Popular New Year's Eve Program Returns to Ring In 2019
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 7, 2018


New Philharmonic's immensely popular New Year's Eve program returns to ring in 2019 with three concerts at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) Monday, Dec. 31, 2018 at 2, 5:30 and 9 p.m.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I Comes to Morrison Center
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 3, 2018


NETworks Presentations LLC announces that the national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I, based on the 2015 Tony Award-winning Lincoln Center Theater Production, will make its Boise premiere in at the Morrison Center for four shows January 25th through 27th as part of the Fred Meyer Broadway In Boise Series. To purchase tickets, visit Morrison Center.com, call 208-426-1110 or visit the Morrison Center Box Office. Ticket prices start at $42.50.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I Comes to Van Wezel
by Stephi Wild - Nov 27, 2018


NETworks Presentations announces that the national tour of the Lincoln Center Theater Production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I, based on the 2015 Tony Award-winning Lincoln Center Theater Production, will make its Sarasota premiere at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall for two shows on Tuesday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit VanWezel.org, call 941-953-3368 or visit our box office. Tickets start at $37 with limited availability.

THE KING AND I Will Premiere In Milwaukee At The Marcus Center
by Julie Musbach - Nov 8, 2018


The national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I, based on the 2015 Tony Award - winning Lincoln Center Theater Production, will make its Milwaukee premiere at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts for eight shows as part of the Associated Bank Broadway at the Marcus Center and Broadway Across America-Milwaukee series. Tickets go on sale at 10:00 am on Friday, November 16.

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S THE KING AND I Comes to Van Wezel
by Stephi Wild - Nov 6, 2018


NETworks Presentations LLC announces that the national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I, based on the 2015 Tony Award -winning Lincoln Center Theater Production, comes to the The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall for two shows on Tuesday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, December 5 at 7:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit VanWezel.org, call 941-953-3368 or visit our box office. Tickets start at $37, but only select sections still have seats remaining at this time. Tickets are going fast - reserve your seats before they're gone! Casting will be announced at a future time.

BWW Review: SHOW BOAT at Musical Theater Heritage
by Alan Portner - Nov 3, 2018


Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II touched off an earthquake in Musical Theater with their 1927 musicalized version of Edna Ferber's 'Show Boat.'  A new iteration of 'Show Boat' has shoved off from the dock inside the MTH Theater on the third level of Crown Center for what will be pleased audiences.

THE KING AND I Tour Hits Jacksonville this November
by Rebecca Russo - Nov 1, 2018


NETworks Presentations announces that the national tour of the Lincoln Center Theater Production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I, based on the 2015 Tony Award ®-winning Lincoln Center Theater Production, will make its Jacksonville premiere at the Times-Union Center for eight performances November 13-18, 2018 as part of the FSCJ Artist Series Broadway in Jacksonville Series. To purchase tickets, visit fscjartistseries.org, or call 904-632-5000. Ticket prices start at $42.

Angela Baumgardner and Pedro Ka'awaloa Take Over THE KING AND I National Tour
by Julie Musbach - Oct 19, 2018


New casting has been announced for the national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I, based on the 2015 Tony Award-winning Lincoln Center Theater production.

Rachel Prather & Laurissa Romain Added To Perform In 4th Annual BROADWAY'S GOT GUTS
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 12, 2018


BROADWAY'S GOT GUTS The fourth annual spectacular evening of wonderful entertainment by Broadway's brightest will sing the wonderful standards and hits sung by the late, great Nancy LaMott on the 23rd anniversary of her death, to benefit the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation.

Stars Honor Nancy LaMott at 4th Annual BROADWAY'S GOT GUTS
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 2, 2018


BROADWAY'S GOT GUTS The fourth annual spectacular evening of wonderful entertainment by Broadway's brightest will sing the wonderful standards and hits sung by the late, great Nancy LaMott on the 23rd anniversary of her death, to benefit the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I Comes to The North Charleston PAC
by Stephi Wild - Oct 1, 2018


NETworks Presentations LLC announces that the national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I, based on the 2015 Tony Award -winning Lincoln Center Theater Production, will make its Lowcountry premiere at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center for 2 shows only December 11 & 12 as part of the Best of Broadway series presented by Planet Fitness. Reserved seat tickets go on sale Monday, October 8 at 10 AM. To purchase tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com, call 1-800-745-3000 or visit the North Charleston Coliseum Advance Ticket Office. Ticket prices start at $35 (plus applicable fees). Casting will be announced at a future time.

Ahmad Jamal Quartet Kicks Off Segerstrom Center's 2018-19 Jazz Season
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 26, 2018


Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents the Ahmad Jamal Quartet for one performance only on October 19 at 8:00pm. The extraordinary night of music features jazz legend and celebrated pianist-composer Ahmad Jamal who returns to the center with his quartet which includes James Cammack, bass; Herlin Riley, drums; and Manolo Badrena, percussion.

FSCJ Artist Series Presents THE KING AND I November 13-18, 2018
by Julie Musbach - Sep 21, 2018


NETworks Presentations LLC announces that the national tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE KING AND I, based on the 2015 Tony Award -winning Lincoln Center Theater Production, will come to Jacksonville at the Times-Union Center for eight performances, November 13-18, 2018 as part of the FSCJ Artist Series Broadway in Jacksonville 2018-19 Season.

Head to the Highlands with Pittsburgh CLO's BRIGADOON Opening July 17
by Julie Musbach - Jul 2, 2018


Pittsburgh CLO is proud to bring Lerner and Loewe's BRIGADOON from the Scottish Highlands to the Benedum Center stage July 17 - 22. As part of its ongoing mission to celebrate musical theater, Pittsburgh CLO often revives classics, thus introducing new audiences to the masterpieces of Broadway's golden age.

CINDERELLA Returns to Starlight Theatre
by BWW News Desk - Jun 29, 2018


Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, the 2013 Tony® Award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of The King & I and The Sound of Music, will play Starlight Theatre as part of the 2018 Shawnee Mission Health Broadway Series for a limited engagement from June 29-July 1.

CINDERELLA Returns to Starlight Theatre
by Julie Musbach - Jun 20, 2018


Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, the 2013 Tony® Award-winning Broadway musical from the creators of The King & I and The Sound of Music, will play Starlight Theatre as part of the 2018 Shawnee Mission Health Broadway Series for a limited engagement from June 29-July 1.

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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