South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall
Based on Tales of the South Pacific, a short story collection, South Pacific was a ground breaking musical exploring themes of racism, war, and love. The show marked the fourth collaboration for dynamo musical theatre composers Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.
Stage Production Notes
South Pacific premiered at the Majestic Theatre on April 7, 1949, featuring opera star Ezio Pinza and Broadway star Mary Martin. The production was an immense hit, winning ten Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
The original production ran for almost five years, playing 1925 performances. When it closed in 1954, it was the second longest running show in Broadway history (behind Oklahoma). It is currently 34th on the list of longest running shows on Broadway.
South Pacific opened on the West End in November 1951 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and ran for 802 performances.
A film version directed by Joshua Logan, and starring Rossano Brazi and Mitzi Gaynor, was released by Fox in 1958.
A made-for-television version starring Glenn Close and Harry Connick Jr. was released in 2001.
In 2005, a special one-night only concert version of South Pacific was presented as a benefit for Carnegie Hall. More information on this production can be found below in the Filmed Production Notes.
The 2008 Lincoln Centre revival directed by Bartlett Sher, and starring Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot was broadcast live on PBS in 2010.
Described by many as one of the greatest American musicals, South Pacific continues to be performed around the world, both at amateur and professional levels.
South Pacific premiered at the Majestic Theatre on April 7, 1949, featuring opera star Ezio Pinza and Broadway star Mary Martin. The production was an immense hit, winning ten Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
The original production ran for almost five years, playing 1925 performances. When it closed in 1954, it was the second longest running show in Broadway history (behind Oklahoma). It is currently 34th on the list of longest running shows on Broadway.
South Pacific opened on the West End in November 1951 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and ran for 802 performances.
A film version directed by Joshua Logan, and starring Rossano Brazi and Mitzi Gaynor, was released by Fox in 1958.
A made-for-television version starring Glenn Close and Harry Connick Jr. was released in 2001.
In 2005, a special one-night only concert version of South Pacific was presented as a benefit for Carnegie Hall. More information on this production can be found below in the Filmed Production Notes.
The 2008 Lincoln Centre revival directed by Bartlett Sher, and starring Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot was broadcast live on PBS in 2010.
Described by many as one of the greatest American musicals, South Pacific continues to be performed around the world, both at amateur and professional levels.
Filmed Production Notes
Announced in 2005, the Carnegie Hall benefit was set to star country music star Reba McEntire, along with Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Alec Baldwin.
Reviews for the concert version were generally positive. New York Times critic Ben Brantley raved that the show was “was performed in a state of nearly unconditional rapture,” and claimed “Those fortunate enough to attend this one-night-only benefit for Carnegie Hall had the privilege of experiencing the emotional force of "South Pacific.”” Meanwhile New York Magazine reviewer Peter G. Davis claimed the musical itself was dated, and in its presentation of racial themes “unbearably condescending and self-righteous.”
Reba McEntire and Alec Baldwin received universal praise for their performances. Ben Brantley described McEntire as “a natural for musicals, with a big, gliding voice that blurs the lines between conversation and song.”
The production was taped by PBS’ Great Performances and aired in the United States on April 26, 2006.
The production was remounted with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2007 for a three-night engagement at the Hollywood Bowl.
A CD of the concert was released in April 2006 by Decca Broadway.
The DVD was released in June 2006 by Rhino Entertainment.
South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall is widely available on DVD (as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases from this link).
Announced in 2005, the Carnegie Hall benefit was set to star country music star Reba McEntire, along with Brian Stokes Mitchell, and Alec Baldwin.
Reviews for the concert version were generally positive. New York Times critic Ben Brantley raved that the show was “was performed in a state of nearly unconditional rapture,” and claimed “Those fortunate enough to attend this one-night-only benefit for Carnegie Hall had the privilege of experiencing the emotional force of "South Pacific.”” Meanwhile New York Magazine reviewer Peter G. Davis claimed the musical itself was dated, and in its presentation of racial themes “unbearably condescending and self-righteous.”
Reba McEntire and Alec Baldwin received universal praise for their performances. Ben Brantley described McEntire as “a natural for musicals, with a big, gliding voice that blurs the lines between conversation and song.”
The production was taped by PBS’ Great Performances and aired in the United States on April 26, 2006.
The production was remounted with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2007 for a three-night engagement at the Hollywood Bowl.
A CD of the concert was released in April 2006 by Decca Broadway.
The DVD was released in June 2006 by Rhino Entertainment.
South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall is widely available on DVD (as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases from this link).
South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall PRODUCTION CREDITS
Opening Date: June 9, 2005
Closing Date: June 9, 2005
Air date: April 26, 2006
Medium: television
Where to watch: DVD (as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases from this link)
Theatre: Carnegie Hall
Producer: John Walker
Book: Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan
Music: Richard Rodgers
Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
Concert Adaptation: David Ives
Director: Walter Bobbie, film: David Horn
Musical Director and Conductor: Paul Gemignani
Orchestrations: Robert Russell Bennett
Dance arrangements and incidental music: Trude Rittmann
Choreography: Casey Nicholaw
Scenic Consultant: John Lee Beatty
Costume Consultant: Catherine Zuber
Lighting Design: Alan Adelman
Sound Design: Nevin Steinberg
Stage Manager: Hank Neimark
Cast:
Reba McEntire (Ensign Nellie Forbush), Brian Stokes Mitchell (Emile de Becque), Jason Danieley (Lt. Joseph Cable), Lillias White (Bloody Mary), Conrad John Schuck (Capt. George Brackett), Dylan Baker (Cmdr. William Harbison), Alec Baldwin (Luther Billis), Alexio Barboza (Jerome), Alex de Castro: (Ngana), Renita Croney: (Liat), Alexander Gemignani (Stewpot), Tom Deckman (Professor), Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Opening Date: June 9, 2005
Closing Date: June 9, 2005
Air date: April 26, 2006
Medium: television
Where to watch: DVD (as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases from this link)
Theatre: Carnegie Hall
Producer: John Walker
Book: Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan
Music: Richard Rodgers
Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
Concert Adaptation: David Ives
Director: Walter Bobbie, film: David Horn
Musical Director and Conductor: Paul Gemignani
Orchestrations: Robert Russell Bennett
Dance arrangements and incidental music: Trude Rittmann
Choreography: Casey Nicholaw
Scenic Consultant: John Lee Beatty
Costume Consultant: Catherine Zuber
Lighting Design: Alan Adelman
Sound Design: Nevin Steinberg
Stage Manager: Hank Neimark
Cast:
Reba McEntire (Ensign Nellie Forbush), Brian Stokes Mitchell (Emile de Becque), Jason Danieley (Lt. Joseph Cable), Lillias White (Bloody Mary), Conrad John Schuck (Capt. George Brackett), Dylan Baker (Cmdr. William Harbison), Alec Baldwin (Luther Billis), Alexio Barboza (Jerome), Alex de Castro: (Ngana), Renita Croney: (Liat), Alexander Gemignani (Stewpot), Tom Deckman (Professor), Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Sources
Articles
Websites
- Ben Brantley, “Sultry City Night Is Transformed Into an Enchanted Bali Ha’i” New York Times (June 11, 2005)
- cmt.com staff, “McEntire’s South Pacific Coming to DVD,” CMT (May 17, 2006)
- Peter G. Davis, “Aging Gracelessly,” New York (June 27, 2005)
- Andrew Gans, “Reba McEntire-Brian Stokes Mitchell South Pacific To Be Taped for TV,” Playbill (June 8, 2005)
- Andrew Gans, “Reba McEntire-Brian Stokes Mitchell South Pacific to Be Broadcast in April 2006,” Playbill (Nov 28, 2005)
- Andrew Gans, “Decca Broadway to Release Reba McEntire-Brian Stokes Mitchell South Pacific on CD,” Playbill (March 28, 2006)
- Tom Shales, “In Paradise With Reba: PBS's Enchanting 'South Pacific’,” Washington Post (April 26, 2006)
Websites
- Carnegie Hall Blog, “Live from Carnegie Hall: South Pacific,” April 19, 2012, Accessed via: https://www.carnegiehall.org/BlogPost.aspx?id=4294985625
- PBS: Great Performances, “South Pacific” in Concert from Carnegie Hall: Production Credits,” Accessed via: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/south-pacific-in-concert-from-carnegie-hall-production-credits/119/
- Reba, “South Pacific,” Accessed via: http://reba.com/theater/south-pacific/
Written by Luisa Lyons (May, 2017)