ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S SOUTH PACIFIC
Synopsis
SOUTH PACIFIC is the story of two parallel love stores, set in an island paradise during World War II, that are both threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. Nellie, a spunky nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with a mature French planter, Emile. When Nellie learns that the mother of his children was an island native, she is unable to overcome the prejudices of her upbringing and refuses Emile's proposal of marriage. Meanwhile, the strapping Lt. Joe Cable denies himself the fulfillment of a future with an innocent Tonkinese girl with whom he's fallen in love because of the same fears that haunt Nellie.
Trivia
Author of the Pulitzer-Prize winning novel "Tales of the South Pacific," James Michener was adopted as a child, thus never certain of his birthdate. He grew up to serve during World War II as a navy publications officer on the island of Espiritu Santo. These experiences, which inspired him to write "Tales of the South Pacific," also inspired Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, and Joshua Logan to adapt the novel into the musical SOUTH PACIFIC. Combined success of the novel and musical allowed Michener to spend the rest of his life writing books.
In James Michener's original novel, "Tales of the South Pacific," Nellie comes from fictional town of Otolousa, Arkansas rather than Little Rock, Arkansas, as she does in the musical.
In the second act of SOUTH PACIFIC, Joseph Cable convinces Emile de Becque to go on a reconnaissance mission as part of Operation Alligator, the tactical assault on the Japanese Navy. Did you know that Operation Alligator is based on real-life Operation Galvanic, the WWII attack on Tawara that began on this day in 1943? Character Joe Cable would have been one of 1,677 U.S. troops to die in action.
In 1949, the world premiere of SOUTH PACIFIC was presented at the Shubert Theatre, New Haven.
In 1950 at the 4th annual Tony awards, SOUTH PACIFIC won eight, including Best Musical of the Year and a clean sweep of the four acting categories - a feat unparalleled in Tony history.
In 1953, the national tour of SOUTH PACIFIC began a one-week engagement at the Tower Theatre, Atlanta. In response to the anti-racist song "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught," members of the Georgia State Legislature issued a vehement protest and introduced a bill to outlaw entertainment works having "an underlying philosophy inspired by Moscow."
In 1954, SOUTH PACIFIC closed on Broadway after five years and 1,925 performances. Original cast member Myron McCormick, who played Luther Billis, lead the final-night crowd in "Auld Lang Syne," and in a symbolic gesture the curtain remained unlowered. As of its closing, SOUTH PACIFIC was the second-longest running show in Broadway history, right behind OKLAHOMA!"
In 1958 Twentieth Century Fox released the movie version of SOUTH PACIFIC starring Rossano Brazzi and Mitzi Gaynor.
In SOUTH PACIFIC, Joe Cable sings "Younger Than Springtime"" to Liat, his partner in an unexpected romance. Rodgers & Hammerstein made no fewer than three prior attempts at writing this number. The third try, "Suddenly Lucky," contained the lyrics "Suddenly lucky / Suddenly to be together, / Suddenly owning / Happiness no gold can buy." Although cut from SOUTH PACIFIC, Richard Rodgers was able to rescue the melody for THE KING AND I, where it became the iconic song "Getting to Know You."
