The cast and crew are hard at work at the Star Theatre preparing for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic musical South Pacific. This decorated show takes the Star stage, July 26-28 & August 2-4. The show is unde the Wm. Thomas Richards of Mansfield. Brittany Roszman of Upper Sandusky serves as assistant director for the musical. The show is choreographed by Marion resident Amanda Zucker.
This classic love story is set during the World War II era on a French Polynesian Island. The United States military has established a naval presence (base) on the island in the Pacific theatre of operations. The plot of the musical centers on a naïve optimistic southern nurse, Ensign Nellie Forbush, played by Marion resident Kiersten Bowmer, who falls in love with a middle-aged expatriate French plantation owner, Emile de Becque, played by Upper Sandusky resident Jim Ruhlen. Trouble ensues when she has trouble accepting his interracial children from a previous relationship. A secondary romance, between a marine lieutenant, Joseph Cable, played by Upper Sandusky resident Lukas Frye and a young Tonkinese woman, Liat played by Delaware resident Jayma Voorhies, explores his fears of the social consequences should he marry his Asian sweetheart.
Supporting roles, including a comic petty officer, Luther Billis, played by Upper Sandusky resident Wayne Rowe and the Tonkinese girl’s mother, Bloody Mary, played by Upper Sandusky resident Kathleen Bather, help to tie the stories together.
Additional South Pacific cast include: Drew Barth, Lia Barth, Page Barth, Kip Barth, Reid Barth, Hannah Barth, Olivia Barth, Trevor Barth, Kathleen Bather, Kelly Bather, Fiona Bather, Ken Bather, Jacob Courtright, Bobbi Korte, Angela Massara, Anna Masara, James Massara, John Massara, Julia Massara, Nick Reid, Jennifer Richards, Gannon Ritter, Kaitlin Rowe, Reagan Rowe, Riley Rowe, Sandra Rowe, Luke Stewart, Keitha Voorhies, and Bruce Voorhies.
The original Broadway production of South Pacific won ten Tony Awards and many of its songs went on to critical acclaim outside of the musical, including “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair,” “Nothing Like A Dame,” “Happy Talk,” “Bali Ha’i,” “Younger than Springtime,” and “I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy.”
Tickets are available in advance by calling 419-294-1411 and leaving a message. Tickets are $10 for non-members of the Star Theatre, and $8 for members.
Music for South Pacific was composed by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, II. The book was written by Oscar Hammerstein, II and Joshua Logan. South Pacific was adapted from the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, “Tales of The South Pacific” by James A Michener.
This production is sponsored by The Ohio State University at Marion and First Citizens National Bank.
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