BWW Reviews: Quintessential SOUTH PACIFIC Docks at Ahmanson

Who said film, not stage, was the director's medium? The Lincoln Center Theater Production of South Pacific is an example of just how one ingenious director's vision makes a great show even greater. The message of heartbreaking love across racial borders has never been portrayed as quintessentially or more beautifully as in Bartlett Sher's stunner now docked at the Ahmanson until July 17.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's elegant score has never sounded better and the look of Michael Yeargan's rich set design with Bali Ha'i in the background is incredibly dreamlike and enticing. As my friend noted, "You can't go much higher than that!"

This cast is electric, headed by Carmen Cusack as Ensign Nellie Forbush and Rod Gilfry* as cultured Frenchman Emile de Becque. Cusack's conflicting emotions are transparent at every moment and Gilfry's leap for happiness, palpable. Anderson Davis makes Lt. Joseph Cable jaded, but grounded and Matthew Saldivar as Luther Billis is disgustingly raw, aggressively overbearing, but strong, honest and ultimately likeable. I have seen many Bloody Marys, but never one like Keala Settle's creation. My hat is off to this young woman, who, from the moment she walks painfully onstage, is that character. One can instantly feel her deepseated solitude and lifelong struggle of discontent. She is magnificent and the best Bloody Mary to date. Hats in the air as well to Sumie Maeda as the gorgeous Liat, Gerry Becker as Captain George Brackett and to the entire sensational ensemble. There is not a Seabee in sight without power, drive and magnetism.

Christopher Gattelli's musical staging is wonderfully powerful especially with the Seabees on "Bloody Mary" and "There Is Nothin' Like a Dame". The next to last scene on the beach with the soldiers leaving the island, marching to the tune of "Honey Bun" is a brilliant image that stays in the mind long after leaving the theatre.

What a show! This enduring and endearing chestnut is one of Rodgers' and Hammerstein's finest and this entire production indelibly wondrous.

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The Lincoln Center Theater Production of
South Pacific
book by Oscar Hammerstein II & Joshua Logan
music by Richard Rodgers; lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II directed by Bartlett Sher
Ahmanson Theatre through July 17

* Through June 20. David Pittsinger plays Emile de Becque June 22-July 17.