By: Oliver Holman
South Pacific is one of the classic musicals that define American Musical Theatre History. Here we learn the story of the not so simple lives and interactions of American soldiers, Tonkin Island Natives, and French Plantation owners on an island in the South Pacific, based on the novel of the same name by James Michener. It explores the relationships that people have with others of their own race and those of other races as well.
The SCERA’S South Pacific begins on a high note as we see the young brother and sister combo played by Anna Kocherhans and Nolan Larsen enter the stage and sing impressively in French. They are soon joined on stage by our leading romantic couple Ensign Nellie Forbush played by Shannon Eden and Emile De Becque played by Rex Kocherhans. The vocal ability of these four was pleasantly a lot better than I was expecting to get. Eden’s voice soared effortlessly and was surpassed only by Rex Kocherans’ vocal flawlessness. Larsen and Anna Kockerhans’ songs seemed as though they were taken straight from a professional recording. As the show progressed, I was happy to learn that nearly everyone in the cast had a voice that was as good as you would want in a professional production. Especially poignant was the impressive male ensemble, with music direction by Kathryn Laycock Little, when they came together to sing There is Nothing Like a Dame.
Though the vocal prowess was soaring, the acting was not as strong, though there were many fun moments in the show. The father-daughter duo of Rex and Anna Kocherhans as well as young Nolan Larsen were able to show some honesty in their performances.
Costume design, by Kelsey Seaver and Deborah Bowman, was interesting, but there isn’t must to work with in the script, and I did love Nellie’s costumes a great deal. The choreography by Kristen Bradley wisely used simple steps for a large cast that can have many levels of dance training and ability. The set, designed by Terri Griffin, was able to be productive through the many scene changes and helped set the mood and location well. The strongest design element of the show was the sound created by Kendall Bowman. Rarely do you see a community theatre production where the music and microphones and sound effects are blended without any hiccups for an entire performance.
The highlight of the night most definitely came at the conclusion of the show when the four actors mentioned above come together in a very beautifully directed moment by Jerry Ellison. Suddenly I forgot everything else about the show and my heart strings were tugged as I watched a new family forming before my eyes and pure joy come over the face of the young Jerome played by Nolan Larsen.
Rodgers and Hammerstein will live forever in the history of Musical Theatre and the history of America as the first musical collaborators to bring meaning, purpose, and important lessons to their work. Subsequently, the most difficult task for a theatre company performing one of these iconic pieces is to make sure these important themes and messages are made clear and don’t get lost in the engaging, toe-tapping, history-making music. Is the domestic abuse in Carousel handled in a way that the viewer can see their own relationships? In the case of South Pacific, are the irrational fears and discomfort around people of a different race shown in a manner that makes us consider ourselves and the unintentional lessons that we are teaching our children that can have dire societal effects in the future? As you see this show, these are some of the questions you may want to ask yourself.
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In the end, I found the show delightful and definitely worth the $10-$16 ticket price it has. If you are looking for a fun night to listen to some eternally loved show tunes with family, then this is the show for you! Lay back on your blanket (this is BYOB: bring your own blanket), put on a little bug repellent just in case and listen to the vocally impressive cast of South Pacific.
Shows run nightly except for Sunday and Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. through August 13th. Tickets may be purchased at www.scera.org
South Pacific
SCERA Shell Outdoor Theater, SCERA Center for the Arts, 745 South State Street, Orem, UT 84058 801-227-ARTS
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