South Pacific (musical)

South Pacific (musical)
Name	South Pacific
Music	Richard Rodgers
Lyrics	Oscar Hammerstein II
Book	Oscar Hammerstein II, Joshua Logan
Basis	James A. Michener's Tales of the South Pacific
Productions	1949 Broadway, 1951 West End, 1958 Film, 2008 Broadway revival
Awards	Tony Award for Best Musical, Pulitzer Prize for Drama

South Pacific (musical). A landmark musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and a book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan. It premiered on Broadway in 1949, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and multiple Tony Awards. Based on James A. Michener's Pulitzer-winning collection Tales of the South Pacific, the show is celebrated for its integration of serious themes of racism and war with memorable songs and romance, set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean theater of World War II.

Background and development

The musical was adapted from James A. Michener's 1947 book Tales of the South Pacific, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, following their success with ''Oklahoma!'' and ''Carousel'', sought another collaborative project. Director Joshua Logan, who had served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, co-wrote the book and directed the original production. The creative team aimed to address the serious issue of racial prejudice directly, a theme drawn from Michener's stories about the United States Navy in the New Hebrides and other islands. The score was orchestrated by Robert Russell Bennett, with musical direction by Salvatore Dell'Isola.

Synopsis

The story intertwines two romantic plots on a South Pacific island during World War II. The first involves Nellie Forbush, a naive Navy nurse from Little Rock, who falls in love with the older French plantation owner Emile de Becque. The second follows Luther Billis, a scheming Seabee, and the idealistic Lieutenant Joseph Cable, a Marine who becomes involved with a young Tonkinese woman named Liat, the daughter of the island trader Bloody Mary. The relationships are tested by the war and deep-seated racial prejudices, culminating in a dangerous mission behind enemy lines and eventual personal reckonings.

Musical numbers

The score by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II features several standards that became integral to the Great American Songbook. Act One includes "Some Enchanted Evening", "A Cockeyed Optimist", "Bloody Mary", "There Is Nothin' Like a Dame", "Bali Ha'i", "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair", "A Wonderful Guy", and "Younger Than Springtime". Act Two features "Happy Talk", "Honey Bun", "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught", "This Nearly Was Mine", and reprises of key melodies. The song "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught" was a direct and controversial statement against racism.

Productions

The original Broadway production, directed by Joshua Logan, opened at the Majestic Theatre on April 7, 1949, starring Mary Martin as Nellie Forbush and Ezio Pinza as Emile de Becque. It ran for 1,925 performances, a major success for Rodgers and Hammerstein. The 1951 West End production opened at the Drury Lane Theatre. A critically acclaimed Broadway revival directed by Bartlett Sher opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theater in 2008, winning seven Tony Awards. The 1958 film adaptation directed by Joshua Logan starred Mitzi Gaynor and Rossano Brazzi.

Critical reception and legacy

Upon its premiere, the musical received widespread critical acclaim for its ambitious themes and sophisticated score. Brooks Atkinson of The New York Times praised its artistic maturity. The show's explicit condemnation of racism, particularly through the song "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught", sparked controversy and discussions about censorship. South Pacific is considered a classic of the Golden Age of Broadway, influencing later integrated musicals. Its exploration of social issues within a popular entertainment framework solidified the reputations of Rodgers and Hammerstein and Joshua Logan. The 2008 revival was hailed for reaffirming the work's enduring power.

Awards and honors

The original production was a major award winner, receiving the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1950. It also won Tony Awards for Best Actor (Ezio Pinza), Best Actress (Mary Martin), and Best Director (Joshua Logan). In a rare honor for a musical, it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950. The 2008 Broadway revival won seven Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical and Best Direction for Bartlett Sher.

Category:American musicals Category:Pulitzer Prize for Drama winners Category:1949 musicals