South Pacific 1949 - Articles Page 1.8

Opened: April 7, 1949

South Pacific - 1949 - Broadway History , Info & More

Broadway Theatre (Broadway)
1681 Broadway New York, NY

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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Eric Ankrim, Alexandra Zorn Lead OKLAHOMA! At 5th Avenue Theatre Thru 3.4
by BWW News Desk - Mar 4, 2012


The 5th Avenue Theatre brings the wide open plains to Seattle with a reimagining of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Matthew Morrison to Host Oscar Hammerstein Tribute on PBS Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Mar 3, 2012


As previously announced, OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II - OUT OF MY DREAMS will premiere on PBS stations beginning tonight (check local listings).

Eric Ankrim, Alexandra Zorn Lead OKLAHOMA! At 5th Avenue Theatre 2.3-3.4
by BWW News Desk - Feb 3, 2012


The 5th Avenue Theatre is bringing the wide open plains to Seattle this February with a reimagining of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Matthew Morrison to Host Oscar Hammerstein Tribute on PBS, 3/3
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 18, 2012


PBS announced today that OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II - OUT OF MY DREAMS will premiere on PBS stations beginning March 3, 2012 (check local listings). Hosted by Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe nominated Matthew Morrison (Glee), who starred in the 2008 Tony-winning revival of South Pacific as Lieutenant Cable, the film is a celebration of the most acclaimed lyricist and librettist of the 20th century, the man who worked in the theater for over 40 years, writing the lyrics for over a thousand songs and the libretti for dozens of operettas and musicals performed on Broadway, in London and in Hollywood films. His legendary works include Rose-Marie (1924), Show Boat (1927), Oklahoma! (1943), Carousel (1945), South Pacific (1949), The King and I (1951) and The Sound of Music (1959). Brimming over with movie clips from his greatest musicals, this new PBS special features interviews with Stephen Sondheim, Harold Prince, Shirley Jones, Mitzi Gaynor, Hammerstein family members and others.

Eric Ankrim, Alexandra Zorn Lead OKLAHOMA! At 5th Avenue Theatre 2.3-3.4
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jan 13, 2012


The 5th Avenue Theatre is bringing the wide open plains to Seattle this February with a reimagining of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Kendra Kassebaum, Jennifer Paz to Lead 5th Avenue's CINDERELLA; Full Cast Announced!
by Kelsey Denette - Oct 28, 2011


An all-star cast of Seattle celebrities will waltz onto the stage of The 5th Avenue Theatre in a holiday ball audiences will never forget: Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. Under the direction of Seattle's own Brandon Ivie, this enchanting fairy tale features Jennifer Paz of Miss Saigon as Cinderella and Wicked star Kendra Kassebaum as the Fairy Godmother, as well as local luminaries Suzanne Bouchard, Nick Garrison, Sarah Rudinoff, Brandon O'Neill, Cynthia Jones, Allen Fitzpatrick, and Greg McCormick Allen.

Single Tix Now Available for Manatee Players 65th Anniversary Season Musicals
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jul 1, 2011


Single tickets to all of Manatee Players 65th Anniversary Season of musicals are now on sale.

Reprise Theatre Company Presents Richard Rodgers Celebration 10/2-11/2; Porter, Gaynor, Bean And More To Star
by BWW News Desk - Nov 2, 2009


Reprise Theatre Company will present a month-long Richard Rodgers Celebration October 2-November 2 in a variety of venues across Los Angeles. The series of concerts, symposiums, staged readings, screenings and cabarets will explore the diversity and scope of the work of one of the most important figures in the American Musical.

Reprise Theatre Company Presents Richard Rodgers Celebration 10/2-11/2; Porter, Gaynor, Bean And More To Star
by BWW News Desk - Oct 12, 2009


Reprise Theatre Company will present a month-long Richard Rodgers Celebration October 2-November 2 in a variety of venues across Los Angeles. The series of concerts, symposiums, staged readings, screenings and cabarets will explore the diversity and scope of the work of one of the most important figures in the American Musical.

Prince, Alexander, Hilty, Weber, Lewis Nixon and Ballard Among Starry Roster for Reprise's Richard Rodgers Celebration Events
by Eddie Varley - Oct 6, 2009


Reprise Theatre Company will present a month-long Richard Rodgers Celebration October 2-November 2 in a variety of venues across Los Angeles. The roster of talent involved continues to grow.

David Henry Hwang, Jose Llana, Jennifer Paz Featured In GETTING TO KNOW YOU: RODGERS AND ASIA on 10/5
by BWW News Desk - Oct 5, 2009


‘Getting to Know You: Rodgers & Asia' - a symposium exploring the successes and controversies in Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals -- 'The King and I,' 'South Pacific,' and 'Flower Drum Song,' will be presented October 5 at David Henry Hwang Theater. The event will include musical performances by Jose Llana and Jennifer Paz. The symposium, presented by Reprise Theatre Company in association with East West Players, will be moderated by playwright David Henry Hwang. The symposium, presented by Reprise Theatre Company in association with East West Players, will be moderated by playwright David Henry Hwang.

David Henry Hwang, Jose Llana, Jennifer Paz Featured In GETTING TO KNOW YOU: RODGERS AND ASIA on 10/5
by BWW News Desk - Oct 5, 2009


‘Getting to Know You: Rodgers & Asia' - a symposium exploring the successes and controversies in Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals -- 'The King and I,' 'South Pacific,' and 'Flower Drum Song,' will be presented October 5 at David Henry Hwang Theater. The event will include musical performances by Jose Llana and Jennifer Paz. The symposium, presented by Reprise Theatre Company in association with East West Players, will be moderated by playwright David Henry Hwang. The symposium, presented by Reprise Theatre Company in association with East West Players, will be moderated by playwright David Henry Hwang.

David Henry Hwang, Jose Llana, Jennifer Paz Featured In GETTING TO KNOW YOU: RODGERS AND ASIA on 10/5
by BWW News Desk - Sep 30, 2009


‘Getting to Know You: Rodgers & Asia' - a symposium exploring the successes and controversies in Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals -- 'The King and I,' 'South Pacific,' and 'Flower Drum Song,' will be presented October 5 at David Henry Hwang Theater. The event will include musical performances by Jose Llana and Jennifer Paz. The symposium, presented by Reprise Theatre Company in association with East West Players, will be moderated by playwright David Henry Hwang. The symposium, presented by Reprise Theatre Company in association with East West Players, will be moderated by playwright David Henry Hwang.

Reprise Theatre Company Presents Richard Rodgers Celebration 10/2-11/2; Porter, Gaynor, Bean And More To Star
by Charlie Piane - Jul 16, 2009


Reprise Theatre Company will present a month-long Richard Rodgers Celebration October 2-November 2 in a variety of venues across Los Angeles. The series of concerts, symposiums, staged readings, screenings and cabarets will explore the diversity and scope of the work of one of the most important figures in the American Musical.

Other Productions of South Pacific

1949   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1950   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
1951   West End London Production
West End
1955   Broadway Unknown
Broadway
1967   Off-Broadway Lincoln Center Revival
Off-Broadway
1988   West End London Revival
West End
1994   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
2001   West End Royal National Theatre Production
West End
2005   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Concert
Off-Broadway
2008   Broadway Lincoln Center Revival
Broadway
2011   West End Lincoln Center Revival [West End]
West End
2022   US Tour Non Equity Tour
US Tour
2022   West End
West End

South Pacific - 1949 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1950 The Pulitzer Prize The Pulitzer Prize for Drama Oscar Hammerstein II
1950 The Pulitzer Prize The Pulitzer Prize for Drama Richard Rodgers
1950 Tony Awards Best Direction Joshua Logan
1950 Tony Awards Best Musical Leland Hayward
1950 Tony Awards Best Musical Joshua Logan
1950 Tony Awards Best Musical Oscar Hammerstein II
1950 Tony Awards Best Musical Richard Rodgers
1950 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Oscar Hammerstein II
1950 Tony Awards Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre Joshua Logan
1950 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Ezio Pinza
1950 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Myron McCormick
1950 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Ezio Pinza
1950 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Juanita Hall
1950 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Mary Martin
1950 Tony Awards Producer (Musical) Leland Hayward
1950 Tony Awards Producer (Musical) Oscar Hammerstein II
1950 Tony Awards Producer (Musical) Joshua Logan
1950 Tony Awards Producer (Musical) Richard Rodgers
1949 New York Drama Critics Circle Awards Best Musical Richard Rodgers
1949 Tony Awards Best Scenic Design Jo Mielziner

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