Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific in concert

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific is coming to Resorts World Manila. This is quite a surprise as for some unknown reason, there seems to be a bias against this musical among Pinoys. Just think, there have already been several stagings of The Sound of Music and The King And I these past years. But if I remember right, the last South Pacific I heard about around here was in the ’60s and it was directed by Father Reuter. God rest his soul. 

Some say the reason is because South Pacific is too American to have the universal appeal of popular musicals. Others say it is the outdated racist undertones in the plot and while almost every song became a hit when the show first came out, most of these failed to carry over to recent times.  But no matter, I am happy that South Pacific will be on the local stage again. 

I know this one is a concert production directed by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo. Not a full-blown musical. That means, no sets or dance numbers. But who cares. There will be a 20 voice choir members and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Maestro Rodel Colmenar. I am sure the presentation will be great and hearing those songs again live will be heaven.

South Pacific is tuneful, funny, exuberant, romantic and in my opinion is the best musical Rodgers and Hammerstein ever wrote. The script by Joshua Logan puts across its anti-racism message without sacrificing the flow of the story. There is not a sour or unnecessary note or dialogue anywhere. You know how you sometimes get the feeling that a show would be better off without a song or two? Not South Pacific where numbers segue smoothly to the next. It is a wonderful show and I recall viewers brimming with happy tears while watching Mitzi Gaynor skip happily on the beach in the Hollywood version. 

Set on a tropical island during World War II, South Pacific tells the love stories of two mixed couples based on a book by James A. Michener. One is that of an American nurse Nellie Forbush who is struggling whether to accept the part-native children of the man she loves, Emile De Becque a French plantation owner. Gaynor played Nellie in the movie while Mary Martin, originated the role on Broadway. De Becque was played by Rosanno Brazzi on film and by the famous opera basso Ezio Pinza on stage.

The other one is that of US Marine Lt. Joseph Cable. His problem is his having fallen in love with Liat a native girl whom her mother Bloody Mary wants to pair off with an American with money. Cable, like most soldiers of the time, could fall in love with a native girl but would prefer to marry another girl back home.  These romances play out against a background of GIs taking a respite from battle with the knowledge that they could be called back to the front anytime and of enterprising natives milking the visitors for all they could get.

Out of these simple and time-worn tales Rodgers and Hammerstein wove a tapestry of songs that have since then become standards. Some Enchanted Evening, Bali Hai, Younger Than Springtime,  There Is Nothing Like A Dame, Happy Talk, I’m In Love With A Wonderful Guy, Cockeyed Optimist, Bloody Mary, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair, Honey Bun and This Nearly Was Mine.

Set to perform these songs is a formidable line-up of talents, who I am sure will do an excellent job. In the cast of South Pacific In Concert are Joanna Ampil — West End star of Miss Saigon and Jesus Christ Superstar — as Nellie. Music producer, composer, director and performer Jon Meer Vera Perez as Emile De Becque. Mark Bautista, star of David Byrne’s Here Lies Love in London and just fresh out of the successful staging of Bituing Walang Ningning, the Musical, is Lt. Cable.

The ever-reliable Ima Castro is Liat’s mother Bloody Mary, the Tonkinese wheeler dealer. I am sure that her rendition of Bali Hai, the most famous song from the show is one that should not be missed. And what about Mark B. singing Younger Than Springtime?  That would be beautiful. It is just too bad that Joanna will not have to wash her hair on stage like the other Nellies did. That would have been fun to watch. But it would still be nice to hear her sing a happy I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair with a Southern accent.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific in Concert will be staged at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre of Resorts World Manila at 8 p.m. on Saturdays, Sept. 12 and 19. For tickets, call TicketWorld (891-9999) or RWM Box Office (908-8000).