DM Playhouse to Stage SOUTH PACIFIC, 9/5-28

The Des Moines Community Playhouse presents the romantic musical, "South Pacific," Sept. 5-28. Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, or at the Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St. "South Pacific" is sponsored by The Principal Financial Group.

Set in an island paradise during World War II, two parallel love stories are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. Nellie (Amber Duimstra), a spunky nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with a mature French planter, Emile (Edward Corpus). Nellie learns that the mother of his children was an island native and, unable to turn her back on the prejudices with which she was raised, refuses Emile's proposal of marriage. Meanwhile, the strapping Lt. Joe Cable (Jonathan Brugioni) denies himself the fulfillment of a future with an innocent Tonkinese girl (Kourtney Richards) with whom he's fallen in love out of the same fears that haunt Nellie. When Emile is recruited to accompany Cable on a dangerous mission, Nellie realizes that life is too short not to seize her own chance for happiness.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's acclaimed score includes "Some Enchanted Evening," "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair," "There is Nothing Like a Dame," "Younger Than Springtime," and the haunting "Bali Ha'i."

The Playhouse cast is directed by John Viars with music direction by Andrew Ryker and choreography by Alexandra Beem. The cast includes Nick Black, Gabrielle Clutter, Kauai Cua, Micheal Davenport, Madison Densmore, Eric Deutz, Demarius Fisher, Elizabeth Fisher, Tiffany Flory, Claire Guderjahn, Noah Hackbart, Kevin Johnson, Stevie LeWarne, Jessica Martens, Gary McCall, DeMarco Moore, Grace Mumm, Elise Raemakers, Joshua Rodriquez, Alana Scherer, Gary Scherer, Eric Sharp, Rod Tostenson, Aria Volz, Smita Volz, Emma Wellman, Patricia Uy-Westlund, and Michael Xayavong.

The Playhouse is Iowa's oldest and largest producing theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

For more information about the Playhouse and "South Pacific," contact the Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261.