Come Away to the Bushnell’s “South Pacific”

HARTFORD — Has there ever been a better musical than Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s “South Pacific?” It is a show that has just about everything one dreams of in a musical — a compelling story, a secondary love story, strife, death, heartache, second chances, and practically every song in the whole show at hit.
From the glorious “Younger than Springtime,” to the mature and dazzling “Some Enchanted Evening” to the perky “Happy Talkie Talk” to the powerful, “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught,” and more, the show has it all.
Set in the South Pacific during World War II, the show follows the life of Nellie Forbush, she of the cock-eyed optimistic bent, from Arkansas, played by the spunky Carmen Cusack. She could not be better suited for the role of a slightly naïve, hopeful, but confused woman falling in love with an older Frenchman, Emile de Becque, played with stolid authority and a beautiful baritone voice by Rod Gilfry, especially when he sings “This Nearly Was Mine.”
The subplot follows a pair of young lovers, the fresh-faced Lt. Joseph Cable, played with youthful vigor by Anderson Davis and the Tonkanese girl, Liat, played by Sumie Maeda.
Her mother, the opportunistic Bloody Mary, played by the powerful Keala Settle, does what she can to throw her child into the arms of Cable, in an aggressive and slightly creepy manner. Still, the songs are endlessly seductive, like the mesmerizing and hypnotic “Bali-hai.”
Luther Billis is the enterprising wise guy enlisted man with a big heart, played by the rough-and-ready Matthew Saldivar who gets to sing the silly “There is Nothin’ Like a Dame” and the fun “Honey Bun” with Nellie and the crew.
The crew, with a large ensemble cast of male sailors and wacks, give depth and breadth to the music and movement, with dance and incidental music arrangements by Trude Rittmann.
The commanding officer William Harbison is played by Peter Becker a little too much for the laughs from the start, making his nickname of “Old Ironsides” not so amusing as it could be.
The sets, by Michael Yeargan work well, with the slated bamboo-like screens that fill the enormous Bushnell stage completely, and give an exotic and tropical feel.
The period costumes, right down to the women’s bathing suits, have an authentic feel and looked liked they were made for the long haul of a big tour, with costume design by Catherine Zuber.
The background lighting, first of the island and then of the clouds after sunset in the second act, are realistic without being overpowering, with lighting design by David Holder. However, the spot lights, and there were many spots, missed their mark more often than not and need more rehearsing or else a wider light.
This solid and entertaining production of “South Pacific” delivers everything one could hope for in one of the best musicals ever.

SOUTH PACIFIC

3 ½ Stars
Theater: The William H. Mortensen Hall at the Bushnell Memorial Center
Location: 166 Capitol Ave., Hartford
Production: Music by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Directed by Bartlett Sher. Music direction by Ted Sperling. Musical staging by Christopher Gattelli. Set by Michael Yeargan. Costumes by Catherine Zuber. Lighten by Donald Holder. Sound by Schott Lehrer. Orchestration by Robert Russell Bennett. Dance and incidental music arrangements by Trude Rittmann.
Running time: 3 hours with one 15-minute intermission
Show Times: Thursday, and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with matinee performances Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., through Sunday.
Tickets: From $15 to $282. Call 860-987-5900 or visit their website at www.bushnell.org.
ACTOR…CHARACTER
Carmen Cusack … Ensign Nellie Forbush
Rod Gilfry … Emile de Becque
Keala Settle … Bloody Mary
Anderson Davis … Lt. Joseph Cable
Matthew Saldivar … Luther Billis
Peter Rini … Cmdr. William Harbison
Gerry Becker … Capt. George Brackett