Warm, welcoming trip to ‘South Pacific'
Rodgers and Hammerstein classic filled with emotions and layered characters
A trip to the South Pacific might be just the ticket to combat the wintry chill of the past week, and the production of the 1949 musical of that name at Toby's Dinner Theatre of Columbia certainly exudes a feeling of warmth.
Winner of a 1950 Pulitzer Prize for drama and 10 Tony awards, including best musical and best score, “South Pacific” is inspired by James Michener's 1947 Pulitzer Prize-winning book “Tales of the South Pacific.” Set during World War II on two Pacific islands where American sailors are stationed, the play reflects routine duties and unfamiliar cultures.
Parallel love stories are told: Ensign Nellie Forbush, a Navy nurse from Arkansas, is attracted to French expatriate plantation owner Emile de Becque, and Lt. Joseph Cable is smitten with the young Tonkinese girl Liat, daughter of the island entrepreneur known as Bloody Mary.
Toby's production is directed with reverent honesty by Mark Minnick, who gives audiences the experience of characters grappling with strong emotions while confronting their own troubling prejudices. Such conflicts are underlined by a Rodgers and Hammerstein score that is integral to the story, brought alive by Toby's stellar cast.
Teresa Danskey makes a memorable Toby's debut in the leading role of wholesome, self-described “hick and cockeyed optimist” Nellie, fully credible in her layered portrayal of a small-town woman expanding her world and examining her long-standing convictions. Nellie ultimately recognizes as flawed her initial intolerance of de Becque's mixed-race children, whose late mother was Polynesian.
Filled with energetic intensity and irresistible charm, Danskey's Nellie brings contemporary substance and insightful feeling to each of her songs. She also reveals notable athleticism in accompanying dance moves, especially during “I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” joining together with an amazing ensemble of dancing and singing nurses.
In an equally exciting debut, actor and baritone Russell Rinker newly defines de Becque. Rinker invests this romantic middle-aged Frenchman with an appealing vigor in his island explorations and passionate romance.
The latter is reflected well in “Some Enchanted Evening” and “This Nearly Was Mine,” and such numbers are enhanced by the unmistakable chemistry between Rinker's de Becque and Danskey's Nellie.
Tenor Jonathan Helwig plays Lt. Joseph Cable so convincingly that we immediately embrace this Princeton-educated officer's dismay at his attraction to island girl Liat, well played by Surasree Das.
Helwig invests his “Younger Than Springtime” with palpable longing and adds layered meaning to “You Have to be Taught,” exploring the inculcation of racial attitudes.
As Bloody Mary, Crystal Freeman delivers her usual energy-charged portrayal, alternatively in denouncing the Seabee crew reluctant to buy her island souvenirs and later frolicking with them in their awkward attempts at island dancing. Her “Happy Talk” is extra delicious, although “Bali Hai” seemed a bit tentative when I attended.
Worthy of high praise is the entire crew portraying Seabees, who become a lusty singing chorus as well as a dance crew executing Minnick's fine choreography. Outstanding among them is Toby's favorite song-and-dance man, Jeffrey Shankle, who plays forever scheming Luther Billis.
Shankle brings his trademark dynamism to the Broadway classic “Nothin' Like a Dame” and later shines as “Honey Bun” (of “101 Pounds of Fun” fame) in a memorable duet with Nellie.
The strong supporting cast includes David Bosley Reynolds, who brings human warmth and wry humor to his Cmdr. William Harbison, and Robert Biedermann as Capt. George Brackett.
Talented young actors alternate in the roles of de Becque's children, with daughter Ngana, played by Anna Jachero or Dulcie Pham, and son Jerome, played by Alden Levin or Nathan Pham.
Contributing to the excellence of this “South Pacific” production is music director Reenie Codelka, who also serves as conductor-keyboardist. Barry Hamilton, also on keyboard, and five other orchestra members provide live music at every performance.
Costume designer Lawrence B. Munsey does his usual first-rate job creating attractively authentic garb, including smart uniforms for nurses and officers, well-worn fatigues for the Seabees crew, stunning formal attire for leading players and attractive casual wear for the crew.
Noteworthy set design and construction includes the imaginative shower stall, an essential prop for Nellie's famed “I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” shampoo scene.
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