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.

Get South Pacific Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

Larry Owens' SONDHEIMIA, Bernadette Peters & More Announced for Pasadena Playhouse's Sondheim Celebration
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 15, 2022


Pasadena Playhouse Producing Artistic Director Danny Feldman announced the latest news for the theater’s upcoming six-month-long celebration of the works and impact of Stephen Sondheim January 26 through June 11, 2023. 

Who Has Worn the Most Hats on Broadway? Part 1
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Oct 16, 2022


Today's question is: Who has worn the most hats on Broadway- director, producer, writer, actor, etc.? Here are a few folks that could hold a record for the 'number of hats' they've worn on Broadway shows. Part one includes those who have worn four or five hats on Broadway shows and part two will include those who have held even more positions than that!

Review: SOUTH PACIFIC, Theatre Royal, Glasgow
by Natalie O'Donoghue - Oct 6, 2022


Julian Ovenden and Gina Beck reprise their roles from the Chichester Festival Theatre production, and lead a sensational cast of over thirty including Rob Houchen, Joanna Ampil and Sera Maehara. Featuring a full orchestra, this ravishing musical is set to be the must-see theatrical event of the year.

SOUTH PACIFIC ON THE RIVER Comes to Sutton Place This Month
by Stephi Wild - Sep 6, 2022


Sutton Place Parks Conservancy (SPPC), in conjunction with Jarrett Winters Morley and Sunrise East 56 (SE56), will present South Pacific On The River, on Tuesday, September 20 at 2:00 PM. This free hour-long concert of songs from the legendary Broadway musical, will be held in the 56th Street Park, just east of Sutton Place. The performance features four lead singers, 16 ensemble vocalists, and a 32-piece orchestra. 

Review: SOUTH PACIFIC, Sadler's Wells
by Debbie Gilpin - Aug 5, 2022


The show is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Tales of the South Pacific and made its Broadway debut in 1949; it is surprisingly progressive, despite its age, making it a relatively unproblematic revival. It also helps that it contains some of musical theatre’s most recognisable songs, including “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair”, “Some Enchanted Evening”, and “There Is Nothing Like a Dame”.

Review: After 60 Years of its Opening WEST SIDE STORY Continues to Thrill Audiences in Historic Production
by Claudio Erlichman - Jul 19, 2022


West Side Story opens on July 8th at Theatro Sao Pedro. A masterpiece by Bernstein & Sondheim, direction by Charles Moeller and Brazilian version by Claudio Botelho, the musical direction is by Claudio Cruz, who leads the Orquestra do Theatro Sao Pedro. The production also has a cast headed by Giulia Nadruz (Maria) and Beto Sargentelli (Tony)

FAT HAM Wins 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
by Team BWW - May 9, 2022


The Pulitzer Prize Board has just announced that Fat Ham has won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Other finalists included: Selling Kabul, and Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord.

VIDEO: Who Will Win the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama? Live at 3pm!
by Nicole Rosky - May 9, 2022


The Pulitzer Prize Board today will present the 2022 award winners for Prizes in Journalism, Books, Drama and Music. Who will win this year? Tune in right here at 3pm to watch the announcement live!

How Many Musicals Have Won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama? See the List Here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 30, 2022


Michael R. Jackson's A Strange Loop, the most recent musical to take home the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, has just opened on Broadway! Only 10 musicals in history have been honored with the coveted award and we've got the full list.

10 curiosidades sobre los Premios Tony
by Elena Díaz-Guerra - Apr 6, 2022


¿Quieres saber todo sobre los premios más conocidos de Broadway? Entra en este artículo.

BWW Review: SOUTH PACIFIC at Fred Kavli Theatre
by Cary Ginell - Mar 25, 2022


American Theatre Guild's current national tour of the venerable Pulitzer-Prize winning 'South Pacific' cleans up some potentially objectionable language and characterizations to retain its essential love story and message of racial tolerance.

VIDEO: Watch 'There is Nothin' Like A Dame' From TUTS' SOUTH PACIFIC
by Alan Henry - Feb 17, 2022


BroadwayWorld has a first look at Theatre Under The Stars' production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific.

What Was the Golden Age of Broadway?
by Team BWW - Feb 19, 2022


Just last week, The Music Man marched back to Broadway- the latest revival of a show from musical theatre's most glorious time- the Golden Age. What was the Golden Age of Broadway all about and what years did it cover? Study up!

VIDEO: Watch 'Bali Ha'i' From TUTS' SOUTH PACIFIC
by Alan Henry - Feb 16, 2022


BroadwayWorld has a first look at Theatre Under The Stars' production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific.

VIDEO: 'I'm in Love With a Wonderful Guy' From TUTS' SOUTH PACIFIC
by Alan Henry - Feb 15, 2022


BroadwayWorld has a first look at Theatre Under The Stars' production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific.

VIDEO: Get A First Look At TUTS' SOUTH PACIFIC
by Alan Henry - Feb 11, 2022


BroadwayWorld has a first look at Theatre Under The Stars' production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific.

VIDEO: Get A First Look At Rehearsals For TUTS' SOUTH PACIFIC
by Alan Henry - Jan 21, 2022


BroadwayWorld has a first look at Theatre Under The Stars' production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific.

Theatre Under The Stars Announces Cast of SOUTH PACIFIC
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 18, 2022


Theatre Under The Stars has announced the cast of the new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific.

VIDEO: Bergen County Players Successfully Reopens To Thunderous Applause
by Stephi Wild - Nov 22, 2021


Marking a return to live theater after a 20 month hiatus, Bergen County Players , one of America's longest-running little theater companies, reopened its doors last night with the rousing musical revue, A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING: A CELEBRATION OF RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN.

Photos: First Look At Bergen County Players' A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 10, 2021


Marking a return to live theater after a 20 month hiatus, Bergen County Players , one of America's longest-running little theater companies, has announced that its doors will reopen beginning November 20 with the rousing musical revue, A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING: A CELEBRATION OF RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN.

BWW Review: Plaza Theatricals Production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC Was 'Some Enchanted Evening!'
by Nicholas Pontolillo - Nov 1, 2021


CBS News recently did a profile piece on the 'Renaissance of Theater on Long Island.' One of the theaters/acting companies featured in the news story was the Elmont Memorial Library Theatre - Home of Plaza Theatricals, Nassau County's only professional equity theater.

Bergen County Players To Resume Live In-Person Performances This Month With A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING
by Stephi Wild - Nov 1, 2021


Marking a return to live theater after a 20 month hiatus, Bergen County Players (BCP), one of America's longest-running little theater companies, is thrilled to announce that its doors will reopen beginning November 20 with the rousing musical revue, A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING: A CELEBRATION OF RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN.

Chichester Festival Theatre's SOUTH PACIFIC Begins Streaming Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Jul 23, 2021


The production is led by Gina Beck (Matilda, Show Boat, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera) as Nellie*, Julian Ovenden (Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, Merrily We Roll Along, Grand Hotel, BBC Proms) as Emile, Joanna Ampil (Cats, Les Misérables, Miss Saigon) as Bloody Mary, Keir Charles (Quiz, Back To Life) as Luther Billis and Rob Houchen (Les Misérables, The Light in the Piazza) as Cable. 

TOP 10: Lo mejor de Richard Rodgers
by Nuria Pedret - Jun 28, 2021


Con motivo del aniversario del compositor americano, que es uno de los únicos EGOT, queremos hacer un repaso de sus obras más conocidas.

THE HOT WING KING Wins the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
by Taylor Brethauer-Hamling - Jun 11, 2021


It was just announced by the Pulitzer Prize organization that Katori Hall's The Hot Wing King has officially won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. This year's finalists included Circle Jerk by Michael Breslin and Patrick Foley and Stew by Zora Howard.

Videos