A fine set, such as that of the terrace of Emile de Becque’s plantation villa, is expected of a 2008 Tony winner and of designers Michael Yeargan and Mikiko Suzuki Macadams. But when you hear Jennie Sophia’s (Nellie Forbush) pure tones in “A Cockeyed Optimist” and Marcelo Guzzo’s (Emile de Becque) rich “Some Enchanted Evening” you know by the end of Scene 1 that the show now at the Cadillac Theatre is not just another South Pacific revival making the rounds.
The musical certainly has been performed numerous times on tours and by local theaters since Richard Rodgers wrote the music, Oscar Hammerstein II wrote the lyrics and Joshua Logan and Hammerstein did the book for their 1949 award winning Broadway show. You might also expect a good production given that the South Pacific in Chicago and now doing the Broadway tour, is based on the 2008 revival directed by Bartle Sher that picked up seven Tony Awards.
However, Chicago audiences have learned over years that the musicals coming to town vary greatly in what they deliver as to voices, dance numbers, sets and acting. With a musical known for such standards as “Some Enchanted Evening,” This Nearly Was Mine, “I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy” and “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” the hope is that the leads are chosen for their voice. And Guzzo and Sophia and deliver the goods.
Guzzo has sung at several opera houses including, Dallas, Kansas City and in his native Uruguay. Sophia who plays the female lead in the Chicago production, has starred in several musicals. The show is worth seeing just to hear them.
But the current production also pleases with its Seabees song and dance routine of “There is Nothin’ Like a Dame” and with Cathy Foy-Mahi’s Bloody Mary.
Hawaiian singer Foy Mahi’s leathery make-up, costuming and acting is so good you don’t expect her character to intone “Bali Ha’i” as beautifully lyrical and mysterious as she sings it in Scene 3.
South Pacificalso makes a cultural statement about racial prejudice that unfortunately hasn’t gone out of date some 60 years after the musical was written. Prejudice issues are interwoven through the story and also covered in “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught” sung by Shane Donovan (Lt. Joseph Cable) who falls for Bloody Mary’s daughter, Liat played by Hsin-Yu Liao.
Details: South Pacific is at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL now through Feb. 26, 2012. Tickets are $18-$85. For tickets or more information visit the box office, Broadway in Chicago, South Pacific On Tour or call 800-775-2000.
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