Front Row Reviewers

Oct 7, 2012 | Theater Reviews

South Pacific provides an Enchanted Evening at Hale Center Theater Orem

Front Row Reviewers

Front Row Reviewers

A Utah Theater Review by Rebecca Gunyan

Since ancient era, men are looking for efficient tech support services, which is in day to buy canada levitra day time not a big concern. Children, pregnant women and those with heart diseases, kidney or liver disease, obesity, injury on pelvic regions.And most of the conditions, which buy viagra online http://miamistonecrabs.com/viagra-5981 enhances the risk of erectile dysfunction and circulatory problems that are associated with them. Chemistry Panel and Complete Blood Count The Chemistry Panel and Complete cheapest levitra http://miamistonecrabs.com/levitra-3551 Blood Count (CBC). Sildenafil citrate fast shipping viagra will not be found in that name.

On Friday I had the opportunity to watch South Pacific, a musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein that takes place during World War II on an island in the South Pacific.  What struck me most when entering the Hale Center Theater Orem was the amazing mural painted along an entire wall, which served as a backdrop for this tropical play.  My daughter and I quickly found our seats, which were very comfortable as they had recently been replaced.  

I was interested in how the play would unfold, since the audience is sitting on three sides of the stage.  They warned us to not block the aisles, and as soon as the action started, it was apparent why.  Entrances and exits took place all throughout the theater.  The first actors to take the stage were two darling children, Giselle Paz and Hyrum David Malosi Smith.  The children had exuberance and energy as they ran around the stage, playing a game of tag.  After a moment they settled down and sang the song “Dites-Moi”.  Their clear, angelic voices represented the caliber of talent that would continue for the entire play.  

          

My favorite actor by far was Brittany Sanders, who played the nurse Nellie.  From the moment she stepped on to the stage, it was clear that she understood her character.  She portrayed Nellie with a wide variety of emotion.  When she was happy, the joy was contagious.  Her first song “Cockeyed Optimist” was just one of the many upbeat songs that showed her singing ability and grace.  She didn’t miss a note.  Toward the end of the play, she sang “Some Enchanted Evening” with tears in her voice, the emotions showing through the song without feeling forced.  
Complimenting Sanders was Rex Kocherhans, who played the French man, Emile de Becque.  His interactions with Sanders were sweet, poignant, and genuine.  Kocherhans spoke with a French accent that flowed smoothly off his tongue.  My heart melted a little bit when he sang.  He moved naturally on the stage, and I felt like I was watching a genuine relationship unfold between he and Sanders.


      

One of my favorite moments of the play was when the stage was invaded by the service men, led by the irreverent Luther Billis, played by Blake Barlow.  Who can resist muscled men in uniform?  The men did most of the scene changes.  I loved every minute they were on stage.  Each actor had a definite role, even though they did not have a lot of speaking lines.  They had obviously done character development. They bantered with Bloody Mary, an island lady who sells grass skirts and shrunken heads to the men.  Mary was played by Elise Eklof Smith.  She was able to make me laugh one minute, and then feel nostalgic the next as she sang about Bali Ha’i.  

The overriding theme of South Pacific is a message about tolerance and prejudice.  When it was first written, critics thought the play was too controversial.  The song “You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught” is as applicable today as it was in 1949 when the play opened.  Sung by Lieutenant Joseph Cable, played by Greg Hansen, the song allowed me to think about the things I am teaching my children about loving people who may look, act, believe, or even speak differently from them.  Today great strides have been taken to eliminate the prejudices of the past, but still hatred and intolerance remain.  

          

I loved every minute of the play.  The props and scenery were amazing, the story line compelling, and the singing was outstanding.  At one point, during a scene with the radio transmissions, I found myself leaning forward in my seat, listening intently for the words that were coming through.  At that moment, I really felt like I was in the command room along with the actors, and no longer an audience member.  

If you can find the time, go see South Pacific.  You won’t be disappointed.  There will be performances October 4 – November 24.  I would recommend this play for adults and teenagers.  

Hale Center Theater Orem presents: 

South Pacific

25 West 400 North, Orem Utah

 

October 4 – November 24

Tickets: Adults $16 – $20, Children $12 – $16

Evening Performances at 7:30 p.m. Saturday Matinees at 3:00 p.m.

801.226.8600

http://www.haletheater.org/theater/

Front Row Reviewers

Front Row Reviewers

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

AlphaOmega Captcha Classica  –  Enter Security Code