Westfield Theatre Group, Westfield, MA
through April 25, 2015
by Michael J. Moran
In a program book note, director Bill Stroud cites the line
“Most people live on a lonely island” from South Pacific’s signature ballad
“Bali Hai” as a touchstone for his moving production of this 1949 Rodgers and
Hammerstein classic, which highlights the darker side of the story and gives
its lighter moments an antic edge.
Based on James Michener’s short story collection “Tales of
the South Pacific”, the show focuses on two romances: between a middle-aged
French-born owner of an island plantation, Emile de Becque, and an
Arkansas-born nurse, Nellie Forbush, on a World War II military base in the
South Pacific; and between American lieutenant Joseph Cable and the
dark-skinned daughter, Liat, of local entrepreneur Bloody Mary. Another
entrepreneur, Seabee Luther Billis, provides comic relief.
The large cast of 29 singing actors is consistently
passionate and engaged. Drew Gilbert’s Emile has a quiet dignity and emotional
transparency. Few scenes are more powerful than the devastation in his eyes at
Nellie’s last departure in Act I. Amy Meek is a touching and resilient Nellie,
who makes her struggle to accept de Becque’s mixed race children poignant and
believable.
Matt O’Reilly brings anger and manic intensity to Cable.
Even his big ballad, “Younger than Springtime,” expresses more angst than
romance, and “You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught” is contemptuous of his
privileged and prejudiced upbringing. Ryan Peloquin’s Billis is hilarious as
“Honey Bun” and affectingly tender in his scenes with Nellie, but more unhinged
and dangerous than usual in his interactions with his officers and fellow
sailors.
The standout vocal performance is Jami Witherell’s forceful
Bloody Mary, whose melting “Bali Hai” and feather-light “Happy Talk” are
musical highlights. And her comic timing with Billis and his mates is a hoot.
The choral work of the ensemble is impressive throughout, the men in “There Is
Nothin’ Like a Dame” and the women in “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My
Hair.”
The hardworking eleven-piece band at stage left is
appropriately bedecked with nurses’ or sailors’ caps. This entertaining South
Pacific will delight and instruct audiences of all ages.
