Review: There's Nothin' Like Liberty University's SOUTH PACIFIC

"I wish I could tell you about the South Pacific, the way it actually was."

This past weekend, Liberty University's Department of Theatre Arts opened its production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's World War II era musical, SOUTH PACIFIC. In the midst of two snowstorms, a transformation to the South Pacific was the perfect way to let the Lynchburg area know that spring and warm weather are on their way.

The first academic production of the semester was slightly affected by the Virginia weather. With two days of class cancellations, this put the cast in a struggle as they missed two technical rehearsals right before opening night. Doors opened a little later than usual, but the show started right on time. The cast led by freshman Joel Zayas as Emil De Becque and senior Lindsey Register as Nellie Forbush, came together and did Rodgers and Hammerstein justice. The orchestra comprised of students from Liberty's School of Music.

Another freshman theatre arts student who captivated the audience was Monica Oguendo-Alvarez as Bloody Mary. Ogendo-Alvarez took hold of the audience during her solo number "Bali Ha'i," telling of a special island far away and also her hilarious one-liners.

The men of the ensemble made audiences laugh and applaud during their number "There is Nothin' Like a Dame," in which the Seabees were longing for a woman to love and how "there is nothing you can name that is anything like a dame."

Register's "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" was an anthem like no other for any girl trying to get over a guy, and was hilariously reprised later by Zayas, who also brought great emotion to "Some Enchanted Evening" and "This Was Nearly Mine."

Directed by Professor Neal Brasher, this show was one that was special to him. He stated in a press release that, "This is one of the first musicals I ever saw as a young person. It had a lot to do with my entry into the theater world."

SOUTH PACIFIC runs on select evenings through February 28. For tickets, please click here or call (434) 582-SEAT (7328).

Photo by Ty Hester, property of Liberty University