Szot to leave SOUTH PACIFIC, then return, then leave again, then return; Pittsinger fills in

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 3:38pm

Bass-Baritone David Pittsinger will play Emile in SOUTH PACIFIC, at the Vivian Beaumont Theater, during two upcoming periods when Paulo Szot leaves the musical to honor two previously scheduled opera commitments.

"Mr. Pittsinger will make his debut as the French plantation owner on Tuesday, December 2 for an eight week engagement through Sunday, January 25th, while Mr. Szot appears in a production of The Merry Widow for Opera Marseille.

Mr. Szot will then return to SOUTH PACIFIC on Tuesday, January 27 for six weeks through Sunday, March 8. after which he will leave to star in a production of Carmen for Opera Toulouse.

During this five week period, Mr. Pittsinger will return to the role of Emile de Becque from Tuesday, March 12 through Sunday, April 12, with Mr. Szot returning to the show on Tuesday, April 15."

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Opera_Star_David_Pittsinger_to_Fill_in_for_Szot_in_SOUTH_PACIFIC_for_8_and_5_Week_Stints_20010101

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 3:39pm

They certainly do not want to let go of Szot.

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 3:41pm

oh, wow. I guess that's not really a surprise, but I can't say I expected it to go down that way.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 3:55pm

Jeez...well he's worth it. He's fantastic.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 4:02pm

Kinda off-topic but I just saw this and it's adorable!!
LINK

[Elke]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 4:09pm

Oh darn, I'm from Europe and I'm seeing South Pacific on December 10... So I'm just missing out on Paulo Szot.

I will be back in NY in Feb, would you recommend selling my Dec ticket and getting one for Feb instead? It's front row though, so it'll hurt giving it up...

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 4:21pm

This is wonderful news. I'm glad Szot has decided to stay loyal to this show even between his opera gigs. He makes that theatre radiate and gives audiences a true gift. The show must go on while he's not there, but I'm glad that he's returning (and returning again).

~Steven

[actormcfamous]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 5:30pm

Anyone know how long the rest of the leading cast is contracted for? I'm in NYC during the last week of February and I'm hoping to see South Pacific, so I'm wondering if Kelli O'Hara, Matt Morrison, and Loretta Ables Sayre will still be there.

[justafan2]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 6:14pm

OMG---I have tix for January 28th! Hopefully, I'll get to see Szot! I also would like to know who might be remaining from the rest of the cast. (I love Danny Burstein's performance)

[Mamie]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 6:30pm

FABULOUS news!!!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 6:36pm

They're turning Szot into a human yo-yo.

Why don't they just move this production of SOUTH PACIFIC to Aix-En-Provence, which is not far from either Toulouse or Marseille and make his commute more reasonable?

Updated On: 11/10/08 at 06:36 PM

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 6:36pm

Paulo will be missed while he is away, but I'm sure David will do a great job until Paulo returns!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 6:38pm

I wonder if Loretta Ables-Sayre will be doing something similar. She mentioned she wants to return to Hawaii to be with her family but that ideally she'd just take a hiatus from the show instead of a permanent leave. It'd be great if she did that.

[justafan2]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 6:42pm

When is Loretta scheduled to leave?

[little_sally]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 6:53pm

I'm really glad he's staying with the show.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 7:30pm

Well I guess we know this show won't be going anywhere anytime soon. Good for it! It was wonderful! And I can't see it transferring anywhere else.

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 8:11pm

It's really a shame for people hoping to see Szot. It's an extended amount of time, especially to be announcing so close to his first absence. Oh well.

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 11/10/08 at 10:30pm

My fantasy was for Nathan Gunn to come in and play Emile but...

Anyway, so does that mean Paulo Szot will last play on November 30 until he returns post-DIE LUSTIGE WITWE?

[Poppy]

Posted: 11/11/08 at 12:49am

I wonder why the stand-by William Michals isn't taking over in Szot's absence. I heard that he has performed when Szot is out. Is he still with the show? Just wondering...

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/11/08 at 3:02am

Michals has a great voice, but they obviously want to have a "prestigious" opera singer do it. Nathan Gunn would have been great, although he reads a bit young for DeBeque.

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 11/11/08 at 4:54am

Wow. This works so well for me! I'm going to be in New York for the second half of February and although I really wanted to see South Pacific, Szot's departure was my deciding factor for passing. But, per my signature, I'm now going and will hopefully see this great performance I've heard so much about.

[Weez]

Posted: 11/11/08 at 3:27pm

That's awesome news! Add 'South Pacific' to my list! ^_^

[lovingit]

Posted: 12/6/08 at 9:30am

You'd best jump at the chance to see Pittsinger. He totally stopped the show with THIS NEARLY WAS MINE - I mean, the audience would not stop clapping and shouting. This guy can act, he's charismatic - and he's got pipes to kill for. He's doing an edgier Emile, tougher than Szot, and I loved it.

[musicalnewyork]

Posted: 12/8/08 at 4:16pm

Mr.Pittsinger is a good replacement.
I am glad they found a nice singer to replace Mr. Szot while he's away...
He has a nice voice too but isn't a good actor. That's very clear.
I mean, Emile is a loving, romantic guy. He killed a man to defend himself in a fight... He's not a dangerous or a violent man!!
I believe David is still nervous and is trying to understand the role . Let's give him some more time onstage and hope he'll come down and play the romantic guy...

I've seen it 5 times with Szot and it was always amazing!
Szot stopped the show everynight night with his wonderful rendition of This Nearly was mine( one time I was there when he got a standing ovation ) and he knows how to play Emile.
Again, David is a good replacement and I am glad I saw his performance but I am sorry , he is not Paolo.







Updated On: 12/9/08 at 04:16 PM

[sparrman]

Posted: 12/8/08 at 5:34pm

"Pittsinger" is a very funny name for a Broadway leading man.