Review: SELECTIONS FROM SOUTH PACIFIC Has Bali Ha’i Come to Don’t Tell Mama
A talented cast brings Rodgers and Hammerstein’s score to life in an intimate concert setting
Fidelity’s Selections from South Pacific brought the classic South Pacific to Don’t Tell Mama on May 1st, under the direction of Ernest Barzaga with music direction by Miles Messier. Presented in a concert-style format, the evening focused on highlighting the score’s most recognizable numbers while still capturing the emotional throughline of the story. Even in a pared-down setting, the material held its weight, with the performers leaning into both the romance and the tension that define the piece.
Set during World War II on a U.S. naval base in the Pacific, South Pacific follows intersecting love stories shaped by distance, duty, and prejudice. Nellie Forbush, a Navy nurse, falls for French plantation owner Emile de Becque, while Lieutenant Cable finds himself drawn to Liat, a young Vietnamese woman. As both relationships develop, the show explores themes of racism, cultural bias, and personal conflict. Even in this selections format, those themes remained clear, giving the songs added context beyond just their musical appeal.
The cast featured Kenneth Linsley, Kayla Moore, Hisa Viscovich, Tommy Dougherty, Arianna Guerreiro, David Speechley, Bill Fitzpatrick, Travis Evans, Alex Lyons, Gabriel Pupo, Brad Anderson, Julianna Goodrum, Luis Peralta, Alexa Marie Rodriguez, Sarah Taylor, and Jacquelyn vonAschwege.
Kayla Moore’s take on Nellie stood out for how fully she captured the character’s optimism without flattening her complexity. Songs like “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” allowed her to show off her true understanding of the character. Vocally, there was a brightness that fit the role well, especially in the upper range, but it never felt forced. As the emotional stakes deepened, that same tone took on a slightly more reflective quality, which helped the character feel more complete rather than one-note.
Tommy Dougherty brought a strong sense of presence to Lieutenant Cable, particularly in “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught.” It’s one of the show’s most direct and thematically heavy songs, and Dougherty approached it with a controlled intensity that made the message land without overstatement. The vocal delivery was steady and deliberate, allowing the lyrics to carry weight on their own. There was also a clear emotional connection to the material, which made the performance feel thoughtful rather than purely technical.
Kenneth Linsley delivered a vocally rich performance that night, bringing depth to his material that stood out immediately. There was a fullness to the tone that worked especially well in the more lyrical moments, giving the songs a sense of gravity without slowing them down. What made the performance click was the balance between vocal control and emotional accessibility. It never felt distant, even in the more polished sections, which helped keep the audience engaged throughout.
David Speechley added a welcome shift in tone with his portrayal of Luther, leaning into the character’s comedic side without losing control of the pacing. His timing was sharp, landing moments cleanly. It was a lighter presence compared to some of the heavier material in the show, and that contrast worked in the performance’s favor.
Overall, Fidelity’s Selections from South Pacific worked because it understood the material and let the performers carry the evening without overcomplicating the format. Like with many of their shows Fidelity contiunes to take shows and break them to into an easily digestable moment that allows for actor to enter into a role even if its only for one short night.
Learn more about Fidelity Theatricals, their upcoming shows and where to follow them on social media on their Linktree here.
They return to Don't Tell Mama on May 15 with selections from Once on This Island. Find tickets to that and more upcoming shows at Don't Tell Mama on their website here.
Reader Reviews
Videos
|
Emmet Cahill 54 Below (6/23-6/23) |
|
Giselle Gutierrez 54 Below (6/30-6/30) |
|
Melba Moore: From Broadway, With Love 54 Below (6/24-6/24) |
|
Melissa Errico: Back to Barbra (with Billy) 54 Below (5/29-5/29) |
|
Broadway Originals, feat. Stephanie D'Abruzzo, David Sabella, & more! 54 Below (7/17-7/17) |
|
George Young 54 Below (6/26-6/26) |
|
Frank Sinatra: The Concert! 54 Below (7/19-7/19) |
|
Women Do It Better: 5th Edition 54 Below (5/28-5/28) |
|
Norm Lewis: Broadway & Beyond 54 Below (6/16-6/16) |
|
|
Broadway Originals, feat. Stephanie D'Abruzzo, David Sabella, & more! 54 Below (6/12-6/12) |
| VIEW ALL SHOWS ADD A SHOW | |
