Weston High School to Present "South Pacific"

Weston, CT - Weston High School’s Company is taking the town by storm with their spring musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific. Set during World War Two, the 1949 musical chronicles two love stories and follows the lives of “seabees”, sailors, and nurses serving in the South Pacific. Challenging the racial norms of the early 20th century, South Pacific redefined what it means to love someone.  

The show’s progressive message against racism did not initially sit well with all audiences, but Rodgers, a former resident of Fairfield, and Hammerstein stood by the themes of their musical––themes which are still relevant to society today. This prejudice is confronted head-on through the classic archetype of two star-crossed lovers: Ensign Nellie Forbush and Emile de Becque, played by Izzy Angeli and Thomas Valenti. As the naive yet spunky nurse and distinguished Frenchman fall in love, their relationship is jeopardized by Nellie’s deep-rooted prejudice against his biracial children. Rounding out the cast are Sophie Lang as Bloody Mary, David Katz as Lieutenant Joseph Cable, Nima Lewis as Mary’s daughter and Cable’s love interest Liat, and Matthew Figliola as Seabee Luther Billis. The parallel love story of Lt. Cable and the young Tonkinese Liat serves as a powerful reminder of how devastating the deep-rooted racism which possessed many Americans could be.

“I have always been drawn to the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein but South Pacific holds a special place in my heart. My students have embraced the score and have committed fully to its message,” said South Pacific Director and Company Advisor, Liz Morris.  “We are proud to present this work to the community and hope that the audience will connect with this story and its magnificent score as much as we have.”

Rodgers and Hammerstein received immense box-office success when South Pacific became the second-longest running Broadway musical of its time. The music is rich with famously catchy tunes that Hammerstein spent years creating, including Nothing Like a Dame, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair and Happy Talk which are sure to have audience members dancing in their seats.

The soaring melodies in Bali Ha’i, Some Enchanted Evening and Younger Than Springtime are complemented by our 24 member pit orchestra, 20 of whom are Weston High School students. Showcased in this production are the many talents of Company members ranging from the building and painting skills of the set team to dancing skills in the “Follies” musical number to the technical skills of the large crew of students behind the production. The production is sure to be visually stunning with a number of rousing, crowd-pleasing musical numbers and outstanding solos for young and old hearts to enjoy.

South Pacific will run March 22, 23, 24, and 25. Tickets for the show are already for sale at www.whscompany.com and are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. Veterans are invited to attend opening night on Thursday for free with the code VET18.

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Submitted by Fairfield, CT

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