South Pacific 1949 - Articles Page 17

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.

South Pacific - 1949 - Broadway Cast

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South Pacific - 1949 - Broadway Articles Page 17

Minnelli, Holliday, Grey & More Sing 'NEW YORK MOMENTS' with NY Philharmonic 4/20
by BWW News Desk - Apr 20, 2009


Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch will lead the New York Philharmonic in New York Moments, a concert featuring iconic musical moments from Broadway and film, with stars from the stage and screen (in alphabetical order): Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway; Maria Friedman, who played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Marian in The Woman in White in London; Joel Grey, whose numerous starring roles have included the famous M.C. in Cabaret, on Broadway and in the film; Jennifer Holliday, one of the original Dreamgirls; Liza Minnelli, last seen on Broadway in Liza's at The Palace; Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot, stars of the current Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific; and 15-year-old up-and-coming singer, Nikki Yanofsky. The concert will take place Monday, April 20, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. All except Mr. Hamlisch and Ms. O'Hara are making their New York Philharmonic debuts.

Tony Winner Paulo Szot 'Sails Back' to SOUTH PACIFIC 4/14
by Eddie Varley - Apr 14, 2009


SOUTH PACIFIC star Paulo Szot, who won the Tony for his performance as Emile de Becque and was on leave starring in a production of Carmen for Opera Toulouse returns tonight, Tuesday, April 14.

Photo Flash: Osnes And Pittsinger In SOUTH PACIFIC
by Charlie Piane - Apr 7, 2009


Laura Osnes and David Pittsinger joined the cast of Lincoln Center's SOUTH PACIFIC on March 10. The pair took over for Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot in the Tony Award-winning Rodgers & Hammerstein musical.

Laura Osnes to Sail into SOUTH PACIFIC Replacing Kelli O'Hara Starting March 7; O'Hara to Return in October
by BWW News Desk - Mar 7, 2009


Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director and Bernard Gersten, Executive Director) has announced that Laura Osnes will assume the role of Ensign Nellie Forbush in its Tony Award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, directed by Bartlett Sher, beginning Tuesday, March 10 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.

Mom-to-Be O'Hara To 'Sail' From SOUTH PACIFIC March 7
by BWW News Desk - Mar 1, 2009


Kelli O'Hara, the Tony nominated star of South Pacific is has a new 'production' in the works that will demand she take leave from the Lincoln Center hit starting in March, she is expecting her first child with husband Greg Naughton. The star's web site now lists March 7, 2009 as her final performance.

CTG/Ahmanson Announces 09-10 Season - Spamalot, Mary Poppins
by Robert Diamond - Feb 12, 2009


Center Theatre Group's 2009-2010 season at the Ahmanson Theatre is a yearlong celebration of big, lush Broadway hits, including four Tony Award-winning musicals, the 2008 winner of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play, and a rare, limited engagement of two stage virtuosos.

Laura Osnes to Sail into SOUTH PACIFIC Replacing Kelli O'Hara Starting March 7; O'Hara to Return in October
by Robert Diamond - Feb 12, 2009


Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Andre Bishop, Artistic Director and Bernard Gersten, Executive Director) has announced that Laura Osnes will assume the role of Ensign Nellie Forbush in its Tony Award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, directed by Bartlett Sher, beginning Tuesday, March 10 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.

Tickets Now On Sale for Minnelli, Holliday, Grey & More Sing 'NEW YORK MOMENTS' with NY Philharmonic 4/20
by Robert Diamond - Feb 10, 2009


Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch will lead the New York Philharmonic in New York Moments, a concert featuring iconic musical moments from Broadway and film, with stars from the stage and screen (in alphabetical order): Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway; Maria Friedman, who played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Marian in The Woman in White in London; Joel Grey, whose numerous starring roles have included the famous M.C. in Cabaret, on Broadway and in the film; Jennifer Holliday, one of the original Dreamgirls; Liza Minnelli, last seen on Broadway in Liza's at The Palace; Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot, stars of the current Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific; and 15-year-old up-and-coming singer, Nikki Yanofsky. The concert will take place Monday, April 20, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. All except Mr. Hamlisch and Ms. O'Hara are making their New York Philharmonic debuts.

Photo Coverage: Danny Burstein Joins Sardi's Wall of Fame
by Walter McBride - Feb 5, 2009


Danny Burstein who received a Tony nomination and an Outer Critics Circle Award for his performance as Luther Billis in the current Tony Award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC was honored with a Sardi's caricature on Tuesday, Feb. 3. BWW joined the fun as the Broadway favorite viewed his portrait at Sardi's, Sardi's Restaurant is located at 234 West 44th Street.

SOUTH PACIFIC'S Burstein Honored with Sardi's Caricature on 2/3
by Eddie Varley - Feb 2, 2009


Danny Burstein who received a Tony nomination and an Outer Critics Circle Award for his performance as Luther Billis in the current Tony Award winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC will be honored with a Sardi's caricature on Tuesday, Feb. 3

Mom-to-Be O'Hara To 'Sail' From SOUTH PACIFIC March 1
by Robert Diamond - Feb 2, 2009


Kelli O'Hara, the Tony nominated star of South Pacific is has a new 'production' in the works that will demand she take leave from the Lincoln Center hit starting in March, she is expecting her first child with husband Greg Naughton. The star's web site now lists March 1, 2009 as her final performance.

SOUTH PACIFIC Tour to Launch at SF's Golden Gate Theatre 9/2009
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jan 28, 2009


SHN will present the all-new production of the Lincoln Center prize-winning musical classic Rodgers and Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC at the Golden Gate Theatre in September 2009. Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC swept the 2007-2008 theater awards winning 7 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival as well as the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Award for Best Musical Revival, and is directed by Bay Area native Bartlett Sher. Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC replaces the previously announced production of EVER AFTER in the Best of Broadway series. Plans for the World Premiere of EVER AFTER have been indefinitely postponed. Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, which is produced by Lincoln Center Theater in association with Bob Boyett and NETworks Productions, is presented as the final production of the 2008-2009 Citibank Best of Broadway series season under the direction of Carole Shorenstein Hays. This production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC will begin its national tour following the San Francisco engagement.

Minnelli, Holliday, Grey & More Sing 'NEW YORK MOMENTS' with NY Philharmonic 4/20
by Eddie Varley - Jan 28, 2009


Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch will lead the New York Philharmonic in New York Moments, a concert featuring iconic musical moments from Broadway and film, with stars from the stage and screen (in alphabetical order): Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in Mary Poppins on Broadway; Maria Friedman, who played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Marian in The Woman in White in London; Joel Grey, whose numerous starring roles have included the famous M.C. in Cabaret, on Broadway and in the film; Jennifer Holliday, one of the original Dreamgirls; Liza Minnelli, last seen on Broadway in Liza's at The Palace; Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot, stars of the current Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific; and 15-year-old up-and-coming singer, Nikki Yanofsky. The concert will take place Monday, April 20, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. All except Mr. Hamlisch and Ms. O'Hara are making their New York Philharmonic debuts.

Mom-to-Be O'Hara To 'Sail' From SOUTH PACIFIC in March
by Eddie Varley - Jan 16, 2009


Kelli O'Hara, the Tony nominated star of South Pacific is has a new 'production' in the works that will demand she take leave from the Lincoln Center hit starting in March, she is expecting her first child with husband Greg Naughton. No exact date has been announced for her departure, but production representatives confirmed the news of her upcoming exit. The hope is that she will return to the production at a future date after her leave of absence. She married her husband in 2007, an actor and the son of Tony winning actor James Naughton. Kelli O'Hara was nominated for a TONY for her current role as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific. She was also TONY nominated for The Pajama Game opposite Harry Connick Jr. (Tony, Drama Desk, OCC nominations) and The Light in the Piazza (Tony and OCC nominations). Other Broadway credits include Sweet Smell of Success opposite John Lithgow, Sondheim's Follies, Dracula, and Jekyll & Hyde. She recently released her first album Wonder in the World on Ghostlight Records.

Reba McEntire to Return to Broadway in Roundabout's 'ANYTHING GOES'?
by Eddie Varley - Nov 19, 2008


The New York Post's Michael Riedel is reporting that country superstar Reba McEntire may be back on Broadway next year, starring in a revival of 'Anything Goes' for the Roundabout.

Photo Coverage: SOUTH PACIFIC Welcomes Edith Shain
by Peter James Zielinski - Nov 10, 2008


Edith Shain, the nurse in the iconic kissing photo taken in Times Square the day World War II ended, had 'some enchanted evening' when she visited the Tony Award winning Broadway revival of 'South Pacific' and met the ?sailors' from the cast, Sunday November 9, 2 PM, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, Lincoln Center.

Edith Shain, Nurse Pictured in Iconic World War II Photo, to Visit SOUTH PACIFIC 11/9
by Faetra Petillo - Nov 6, 2008


Edith Shain, the nurse in the iconic kissing photo taken in Times Square the day World War II ended, will have some enchanted evening when she visits the Tony Award winning Broadway revival of "South Pacific" and meets with ‘sailors' from the cast, Sunday November 9, 2 PM, Vivian Beaumont Theater, Lincoln Center.

Photo Coverage: Mitzi Gaynor Visits SOUTH PACIFIC
by Walter McBride - Oct 10, 2008


Mitzi Gaynor, Nellie Forbush in the 1958 film version of SOUTH PACIFIC, met the cast of the current Broadway revival production at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theatre on October 9, 2008.

'South Pacific' To Give Special Actor's Fund Performance
by BWW News Desk - Sep 21, 2008


The Actors Fund is proud to announce a Special Benefit Performance of the Tony® Award winning revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific on Sunday, September 21st, 8 pm. The evening stars the original cast and is made possible by special arrangement with Lincoln Center Theater. Complimentary membership tickets can not be used for this performance.

'South Pacific' To Give Special Actor's Fund Performance
by Faetra Petillo - Aug 20, 2008


The Actors Fund is proud to announce a Special Benefit Performance of the Tony® Award winning revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific on Sunday, September 21st, 8 pm. The evening stars the original cast and is made possible by special arrangement with Lincoln Center Theater. Complimentary membership tickets can not be used for this performance.

Winners of Drama Desk Awards To Receive Trophies 7/22
by BWW News Desk - Jul 22, 2008


Winners of DRAMA DESK AWARDS for the 2007/2008 New York theater season will receive their engraved trophies at a cocktail reception in their honor on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, from 4:00 to 6: 30 PM, at Tony's DiNapoli Restaurant, 147 W. 43rd St, it was announced by Robert R. Blume, Executive Producer of the Drama Desk Awards show, and Bruce Dimpflmaier, General Manager, of Tony's Di Napoli Restaurant.

Winners of Drama Desk Awards To Receive Trophies 7/22
by BWW News Desk - Jul 8, 2008


Winners of DRAMA DESK AWARDS for the 2007/2008 New York theater season will receive their engraved trophies at a cocktail reception in their honor on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, from 4:00 to 6: 30 PM, at Tony's DiNapoli Restaurant, 147 W. 43rd St, it was announced by Robert R. Blume, Executive Producer of the Drama Desk Awards show, and Bruce Dimpflmaier, General Manager, of Tony's Di Napoli Restaurant.

TV TONYS 2008: Paulo Szot on his Best Actor in a Musical win!
by BWW News Desk - Jun 16, 2008


Paulo Szot won the 2008 Tony Award for best actor in musical for his portrayal of Emile de Becque in 'South Pacific'. BroadwayWorld.com's Eddie Varley and special Tony Night 2008 correspondent Laura Bell Bundy, star of the hit musical, Legally Blonde spoke with him right after his exciting win!

Masterworks Broadway Presents 'South Pacific' Podcasts
by BWW News Desk - Jun 13, 2008


Masterworks Broadway, in celebration of the critically acclaimed 2008 Broadway Cast Recording of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific, proudly presents new episodes of 'Masterworks Broadway Podcast Theatre,' the acclaimed podcast series.

Pizzarelli Releases Richard Rodgers CD
by BWW News Desk - Jun 5, 2008


John Pizzarelli releases 'With a Song in My Heart: John Pizzarelli Sings the Music of Richard Rodgers.'

South Pacific FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of South Pacific have there been?
South Pacific has had 15 productions including Broadway which opened in 1949, Broadway which opened in 1949, US Tour which opened in 1950, West End which opened in 1951, Broadway which opened in 1955, Broadway which opened in 1955, Off-Broadway which opened in 1967, West End which opened in 1988, Milburn, NJ (Regional) which opened in 1994, West End which opened in 2001, Off-Broadway which opened in 2005, Broadway which opened in 2008, West End which opened in 2011, US Tour which opened in 2022 and West End which opened in 2022.
What Tony Awards has South Pacific been nominated for?
Best Musical , , Best Direction for Joshua Logan, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Oscar Hammerstein II, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Joshua Logan, Producer (Musical) for Leland Hayward, Producer (Musical) for Oscar Hammerstein II, Producer (Musical) for Joshua Logan Producer (Musical) for Richard Rodgers and Best Scenic Design for Jo Mielziner.
What Tony Awards has South Pacific won?
Best Musical, Best Direction for Joshua Logan Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Oscar Hammerstein II Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre for Joshua Logan Producer (Musical) for Leland Hayward Producer (Musical) for Oscar Hammerstein II Producer (Musical) for Joshua Logan Producer (Musical) for Richard Rodgers, Best Scenic Design for Jo Mielziner, .
What awards has South Pacific been nominated for?
South Pacific has been nominated for several prestigious awards. It was nominated for Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Additionally, both Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, the creators of South Pacific, were nominated for The Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
What awards has South Pacific won?
South Pacific has won several awards, including Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. It also received the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama, with Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II both being recognized for their contributions.

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