SOUTH PACIFIC review - 7/31/2010

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/1/10 at 11:24pm

I know this is a late review, but I've been without internet all day.

I went into SOUTH PACIFIC thinking I would not like it. I came out loving it and singing the songs. First off, my seats were amazing (though you really have no bad seats in that theater). Paulo Szot has God's pipes. One I heard him sing "Some Enchanted Evening", I fell in love with the show (and him). Laura Osnes was amazing and Danny Burstein was hilarious. Andrew Samonsky's interpretation of the character of Cable made me think if James Dean joined the military.

STAGE DOOR INFO: Got autographs from Danny Burstein, Laura Osnes, Paulo Szot, Loretta Ables Sayre and assorted others...They were all really sweet and kind.

WARNING: Andrew Samonsky is an escape risk. My aunt wanted a picture with him, and he was running out right passed us as we headed toward the door...W/e

[matty159]

Posted: 8/2/10 at 12:05am

Glad to hear you liked it and it is in good shape...am seeing it for the first time on Wednesday and am beyond excited!

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 8/2/10 at 12:11am

Glad you liked it quizking. Enjoy, matty. It's my favorite show on Broadway right now and I got sad today realizing that it will be closed in three weeks. Can't wait to see it with Kelli O'Hara for the closing performance.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/2/10 at 12:14am

The National Tour just ended its run in Denver this afternoon. I went on opening night and really enjoyed it. Great cast.

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/2/10 at 12:19am

Oh yeah, and according to Loretta Ables Sayre herself, she's moving back to Hawaii when the show concludes its run.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/2/10 at 11:46am

"WARNING: Andrew Samonsky is an escape risk. My aunt wanted a picture with him, and he was running out right passed us as we headed toward the door...W/e"

Did you see the matinee or evening show? If you saw the matinee, keep in mind that performers don't have much time in between shows and want to rest, eat and maybe run some errands. Just because some performers decide to stop and greet audience members doesn't mean all of them will.

Regardless of which performance you saw, sometimes performers need to be somewhere or are exhausted after the show and want to leave quickly.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/2/10 at 3:04pm

When I saw this when it first opened I fell in love with it utterly. I have often said that this production was the closest thing to theatrical perfection I'd ever seen. And I didn't want to see it again for fear of it falling short of expectations.

HOWEVER, once it announced its closing, I felt myself being yanked back to it. I'm very excited about seeing it on Wednesday night (thank you tdf.)

[matty159]

Posted: 8/2/10 at 3:13pm

I will be seeing you there on Wednesday night, dramamama...also thanks to tdf!

[PauloFanClem]

Posted: 8/2/10 at 4:31pm

I am so glad you like it! I watched it 3 weeks ago, first time I saw this LIVE, and I was over the moon with Paulo's and Laura's performances! Not only that Paulo has God's pipes, but his acting has evolved to a more mature status. I LOVE how he changed his portrait of Emile not as an innocent idealist but a person who is damaged, lonely, and knows life. Laura's rejection to his children is not more a astonishing recognition but a repeated disappointment. A bravo take! Laura's Neillie is devastatingly true. The last scene, her body language after she hears Paulo's voice, that's phenomenal!

And yes, they leave after the matinee show really fast (Danny was the quickest, 5 minutes after the show). The first time, I only catch Loretta, but because I really love the cast (and especially I got something for Paulo to sign), I went back the other night! If u really want to get autographs, watch a night show!

[Shubert Alley Cat]

Posted: 8/3/10 at 1:25am

So great to meet you at the stage door, quizking. You were soooo nice and friendly, particularly when you rudely complained about the directions to the stage door -- guess what, I didn't give them!

As far as the show goes, it is brilliant. The gold standard for Broadway musicals IMO.

[quizking101]

Posted: 8/3/10 at 1:32am

Sorry about that...

For the record, it was the night show.
My aunt asked Paulo Szot if I could get a picture with him (and caught me off-guard...I've have a major crush on him (hot, mature brazilian man, I mean COME ON!) and it was just surreal.

[PauloFanClem]

Posted: 8/3/10 at 11:42am

^Totally agree about Paulo! You just cannot get enough of him. And he's so gracious at the stage door, and so genuine.

And yes, there's basically no direction to the stage door. Even the direction posted on BWW years ago is not easy to follow, without being there.

Updated On: 8/3/10 at 11:42 AM

[AudreyTwoTwo]

Posted: 8/3/10 at 11:48am

Wait a minute... Paolo's back?!
UGH! I want to go again now. -____________-