THE ARTS ETC
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SUFFIELD PLAYERS
Proudly present
Rodgers & Hammerstein's
SOUTH PACIFIC
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan
Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel
"Tales of the South Pacific" by James A. Michener
May 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15*, 20, 21, 22*, 2011
At May 15 & 22 Matinees, Doors open 1 PM, Curtain 2 PM
TICKETS 800-289-6148 or 860-668-0837
www.suffieldplayers.org
Directed by Frank Borrelli
Musical direction by George Garber, Jr.
TWO REVIEWS. TWO PERSPECTIVES.
“The American musical at full-strength dosage.” Los Angeles Times
Reviewed by B. K. Grant
FIRST REVIEW
Because of my recent involvement with staging a local production comprised of Broadway vignettes, I was eager to absorb the results of this crew’s blood, sweat and tears. I’m happy to say my first experience with The Suffield Players did not disappoint – their production of South Pacific is incredible, positively an ‘enchanted evening’. The above L. A. Times quote definitely applies.
The intimate theater set up somewhat café-style was a sellout. The orchestra, under the able direction of George Garber, Jr., tempted us with an overture of familiar tunes, some of which had slipped from this reviewer’s memory, succeeding in whetting an appetite for the main course. On the small, multi-level stage a few select props were visible, flanked by elevated ‘rooms’, proving once again that less is more:; Konrad Rogowski and his thirty-person crew did an outstanding job.
The basic storyline of South Pacific is well-known – boy (or in this case, older man) meets girl, they fall in love, it’s wartime; not only are they enmeshed in their own relationship, but they have to struggle with the uncertainty of the future. It is due to this uncertainty that individual goals and dreams are drawn hopefully to the surface, only to be futilely disregarded. Director Frank Borrelli and producer Rob Lunde greatly succeed in capturing the fragile atmosphere of that era.
As Act One opens, Stephanie Devine is perfect as the ingénue Nellie Forbush ‘from the sticks’ of Little Rock, Arkansas. She is overflowing with energy and emotion, and at one point in the show nearly had this reviewer in tears. Her character’s love interest, Emile de Becque, is a strong, determined Frenchman tenderly played by Rich Moran, right down to the wonderful accent (his wooing technique won me over). Shaun O’Keefe’s portrayal of the mischievous Luther Billis lends much hilarity to the stage (reminiscent of someone we used to know?) and brings down the house in the “Thanksgiving Follies”. For one who “doesn’t really do musicals”, Becky Rodia Schoenfeld certainly nails Bloody Mary’s character with a clear and heavily accented singing voice. The many other Seabees, Sailors, Nurses and Marines deliver their roles with unbridled passion, crisp diction,, and the musical numbers are spot on.
For several cast members, South Pacific is their first show with The Suffield Players; let’s hope they will be involved in many more to come. The South Pacific experience runs for two more weekends: May 13, 14, 15, and 20, 21, 22; evening performances at 8:00pm, Sunday matinees at 2:00pm. Get the picture? Don’t miss it!
Second Review
REVIEWED BY DONNA BAILEY-THOMPSON
Never Underestimate the Suffield Players
This South Pacific is alive! Its scenes vibrate with authenticity - love, compassion, the confusion of war, the challenge to question instilled beliefs.
This production is community theater at its best. Based upon their fine track record, I was confident their South Pacific would be really good. Actually, it's outstanding.
Here are some reasons why.
SUFFIELD (COMMUNITY) THEATER PERKS -- The action/emotions are not over-produced. Sheen (as in slick) is avoided; shine (as in glisten) is encouraged. More and more, the principals are experienced performers with high standards; the difference between them and any jobbed-in professionals is the former are not paid. However, the director and musicians are.
SET DESIGN - Konrad Rogowski is the wizard who digests the complications before creating a set that works regardless of the script’s demands. On their postage stamp stage is captured the flavor of the South Pacific, a plantation home that morphs into a beach for all reasons -- the commander’s office, a native hut on Bali Ha’i, a Thanksgiving talent show, a radio shack. Large slatted doors that channel tropical breezes stand open or partially closed; a sandy beach stretches down to a boardwalk under which sea-green water laps against the shore. At least 31 S.P.s, including Rogowski, were part of the Set Construction Crew.
ABBREVIATED PRODUCTION CREW - Jerry Zalewski wears at least two hats (Technical Director and Lighting Design). The Costume Design for this large cast of military personnel (uniforms and off-duty) and civilians was directed by Dawn McKay.
CAST - With minor exceptions, the casting complements the characters. The five principal actors are physically right for their roles: they move comfortably on the stage; their singing is clear, emotionally appropriate, pleasing to the ear. They are believable. Stephanie Devine’s Nellie Forbush’s I.D. is straightforward: WYSIWYG. Her voice is true. Her Nellie is attractive but not a glamor puss; her spontaneous naturalism is refreshing. No wonder Rich Moran’s Emile de Becque falls in love with her, and she with him. All his lines carry the ring of truth. And when he pours out his soul in French-accented song, romance envelopes Mapleton Hall, perched on a remote South Pacific windswept hillside, APO Suffield CT.
Becky Rodia Schoenfeld’s Bloody Mary is an enterprising rapscallion. She weaves outrageous humor with moneymaking schemes. Her persuasive singing voice is as flexible as her morals. An opportunist to the core, she charms us all. For the same reasons, so does Shaun O’Keefe’s Luther Billis, a Seabee who takes advantage of military snafus. Their larcenous hearts are forgiven because more often than not, their hearts are gold.
Danny Viets’ Lt. Joseph Cable is the Marine who represents the tens of thousands of young men who either grew up too fast or were KIA before they could. Seething with anger, he spits out the lyrics of the shortest song, “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” (to hate the people your relatives hate), a song I’d like to propose as a coda to our national anthem.
Suffield Players’ “South Pacific” has charm similar to the June 2010 “South Pacific in Concert at Carnegie Hall” (broadcast by PBS) starring Reba McEntyre (Nellie Forbush), Brian Stokes Mitchell (Emile de Becque) and Alex Baldwin (Luther Billis) because “in concert” means it wasn’t over-produced to a fare-thee-well. Instead, the bones of the script were honored, the words and music were interwoven with the story. Just like Suffield’s.
Thirteen months ago, the much-praised Lincoln Center revival of “South Pacific” played at The Bushnell (http://www.theartsetc.com/bushnell-southpacific.html) . Its production values were great. The sky’s color changed according to the hour. The vastness of the ocean surrounded an island barely a speck on a map, where the story of love and death, acceptance and bigotry was sung by beautifully-trained voices. Any need of technical perks and whistles was provided.
Thanks to Mapleton Hall itself, the Suffield Players under the sensitive direction of Frank Borrell have reconstructed a slice of wartime where the company performs without the need of amplification devices. Such intimacy contributes to an immediacy and renewed appreciation of what war demands and admiration of the resiliency of the human spirit.
This “South Pacific” brings to life a great story, winningly told – and sung – studded with situational humor. The Suffield Players love of good theater is a love they love sharing.
DIRECTOR - Frank Borrelli
MUSICAL DIRECTOR/Trombone - George Garber, Jr.
Reed 1 - Travis Roy
Reed 2 - Jon Schemedling
Reed 3 - Jeff Gavioli
Timpani (May 5-15) - Joe Whalen
Timpani (May 20-22) Vinny Naro
Bass (May 7, 14, 15, 21, 22) - Joe Maggie
Bass (May 5, 6, 13, 20) - Mike Pfeiffer
Drum Set - Ken Butcher
Drum Set (May 21) - Carl Sittard
Pianist - Joshua Pare
THE PLAYERS
Tony Andruss (James Hayes)
Erica Bryan (Liat)
Daniel Candella (Officer Quale/Henry/sSeabee)
Hal Chernoff (Comdr. Harbison)
Stephanie Devine (Nellie Forbush)
Timothy Glynn (O'Brien/Seabee)
Zach Gray (Stewpot/Radio Operator: Bob McCaffrey)
Andrew Holl (Lt. Buzz Adams)
Michael Holt (Professor)
Laura Markis (Ensign Dinah Murphy)
Bradshaw M. Mattson (Jerome)
Kennedy D. Mattson (Ngana)
Rich Moran (Emile de Becque)
Shaun O'Keefe (Luther Billis)
Mark Proulx (Captain George Brackett)
Mary Elizabeth Roberge (Nurse)
Amy Rucci (Nurse)
Grace Spelman (Ensign Janet MacGregor)
Becky Rodia Schoenfeld (Bloody Mary)
Danny Viets (Lieutenant Cable)
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