"South Pacific," opens June 26 at the Boothbay Playhouse. Set during World War II, on a tropical island where American troops are stationed as they wait to be called to war, this deeply moving drama remains as relevant as it was in 1949, confronting issues of tolerance that resonate to this day. 

 

In an interview, composer Richard Rogers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein were quoted as saying, "South Pacific has two love stories in it and they both concern, in different ways, race prejudice. Nellie Forbush, the Navy nurse, is in love with a Frenchman.  When she finds out that he was once married to a Polynesian woman with whom he had two mixed-race children, she runs away. She's shocked by it. She's awakened later when she fears he's dead, and suddenly she realizes how unimportant was her prejudice, how important it was that she loved him and how much she wants him back. What we're saying is that… all this prejudice that we have is something that fades away in the face of something that's really important."

 

The romance between Lt. Joe Cable from Philadelphia and Liat, a Tonkenese girl with whom he falls in love, is also impacted by prejudice as Cable denies himself the fulfillment of a future with Liat out of the same fears that haunt Nellie. He puts his feelings into words in the song "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught." 

 

While the composers did intend to confront a serious issue, South Pacific is also a funny and joyous celebration of the young men and women who served during World War II.  It boasts one of the most beautiful scores of any Broadway musical, full of show-stopping songs including such timeless favorites as "Some Enchanted Evening", "There Is Nothin Like A Dame," "Gonna Wash That Man Right Out-a My Hair," "Bali Hai," "Cock-eyed Optimist" and "Younger Than Springtime." 

 

With over 40 people in the cast, the Playhouse production is directed by Ginny Bishop and Emily Mirabile, and stars Devin Dukes (Nellie Forbush), John Adams (Emile de Becque), Landon Sholor (Lt. Joe Cable), Avery Ecker (Liat) and Emily Mirabile (Bloody Mary).

 

The Boothbay Playhouse is located at 275 Wiscasset Road in Boothbay. Shows are June 26-28, July 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12 at 8 p.m. Matinee Sunday, July 6 at 4 p.m.  Tickets are $23 for adults and $19 for children 17 years old or younger.  Tickets can be purchased at the Boothbay Playhouse box office or by calling 207-633-3379.