#1
Posted: 1/15/10 at 2:51pm
Having wanted to see this production my past 2 trips to New York and it just not working out, I was thrilled when I got two tickets for Christmas to see it at TBPAC. Everybody who I know that has seen the show in New York has raved to me about it, and because of that I was kind of nervous it would not live up to the incredibly high standards I had set. Thankfully, it did.
There's a reason this show has been such a hit at Lincoln Center. It is perfection from the downbeat of the overture to the final curtain call bow. I knew I was in for a treat the second the 30 person orchesra started to play. I am so sick of all the tours that come through with watered down 6 to 7 person orchestras and the music just not sounding as good as it should. The South Pacific orchestra blows any other pit that has stopped through Tampa in recent memory out of the water. It is undeniably one of the most beautiful scores of all time, and the orchestra completely did it justice.
The performances were all around amazing. Jason Howard gave an incredibly heartfelt performance as Emile de Becque. His rendition of "This Nearly Was Mine" got a nearly two minute ovation, the most enthusiastic response I have seen from a TBPAC audience ever. Carmen Cusack as Nellie has enough starpower to light up the city of Tampa all by herself. She has the audience in the palm of her hand from the second she steps onto the stage. Her acting and vocals were spot on. She brought an incredible amount of depth to the role.
Supporting performances were just as strong, with notable standouts being Matthew Saldivar as Billis, Anderson Davis as Cable, and Keala Settle as Bloody Mary. The ensemble's energy made the group numbers showstoppers. I can't think of the last time I had a smile as big on my face as when the girls sang "I'm Gonna Wash That Man." The humor and vocals were absolutely inredible.
Overall, I could not have asked for a better experience. If you live near Tampa, run to TBPAC as this is the best show that has come through in quite some time.
There's a reason this show has been such a hit at Lincoln Center. It is perfection from the downbeat of the overture to the final curtain call bow. I knew I was in for a treat the second the 30 person orchesra started to play. I am so sick of all the tours that come through with watered down 6 to 7 person orchestras and the music just not sounding as good as it should. The South Pacific orchestra blows any other pit that has stopped through Tampa in recent memory out of the water. It is undeniably one of the most beautiful scores of all time, and the orchestra completely did it justice.
The performances were all around amazing. Jason Howard gave an incredibly heartfelt performance as Emile de Becque. His rendition of "This Nearly Was Mine" got a nearly two minute ovation, the most enthusiastic response I have seen from a TBPAC audience ever. Carmen Cusack as Nellie has enough starpower to light up the city of Tampa all by herself. She has the audience in the palm of her hand from the second she steps onto the stage. Her acting and vocals were spot on. She brought an incredible amount of depth to the role.
Supporting performances were just as strong, with notable standouts being Matthew Saldivar as Billis, Anderson Davis as Cable, and Keala Settle as Bloody Mary. The ensemble's energy made the group numbers showstoppers. I can't think of the last time I had a smile as big on my face as when the girls sang "I'm Gonna Wash That Man." The humor and vocals were absolutely inredible.
Overall, I could not have asked for a better experience. If you live near Tampa, run to TBPAC as this is the best show that has come through in quite some time.
