South Pacific Revisited - 8/1

[ShowOff2008]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 1:19pm

So I went to revisit South Pacific at LCT this Saturday afternoon because I wanted to see Kelli's replacement, Laura Osnes. I get to the theatre and there is an insert - William Michals will be playing Emile. Bummer. Then that beautiful orchestra started and I got lost in the beauty of the show, the shadows of the palms behind the scrim, the romantic and lush sound.
At first sight, Laura struck me as a pro, smirking and bright eyed as Nellie - not anywhere near the reality tv star I feared she would be (I also did some reading up on her and she has put in her time at the regionals-this is no random 20 year old who has done 1 community theater show and high school shows-need I talk about Legally Blonde-the search for Elle on MTV?) William Michals was very handsome when he entered with Laura, although much shorter than Paulo. When he started singing Some Enchanted Evening the audience melted. People were literaly gasping at the beauty and strengh of his voice. His French accent, also, was top notch, unlike the sometimes Brazilian one that breaks through when Paulo speaks.
Loretta was fantastic as usual, a totally serious Bloody Mary, with conviction, not a stereotype cut out of the Bloody Mary in that horrid movie remake. Laura was just fantastic in the entire show, and she got even better in Act 2 just before This Nearly Was Mine. I didn't see any part of Kelli's performance in hers whatsoever. It was completely, utterly, Laura's Nellie. And it was wonderful. You felt her confusion, her sorrow, and her fear of the love she might lose at the end of the show. Literaly tears welling in her eyes. What Laura has going for her is the youth in her performance. The confusion, along with letters from mom back home really made her character more believable.
Kelli is lovely and great in the role, and without all her make up she actually looks around 24. But Kelli often can look around 40 with all of the make-up, wig and such that I think it takes away from the character. Laura's dancing in Honey Bun was also right on, and she even improvised a little of her own with some of the movements during song. I am completely shocked that this girl is 23 years old. To take on a role this huge, and replaceing a Tony nominated star, you have to have some mega chops, and she has it. A complete professional and a refreshing take on Nellie Forbush. Every detail of her movements and speaking is purposefull and creative. The rest of the cast was fantastic as well - Andrew Somonsky as Cable had a great voice and I liked his dry, shruggish acting for the role. Danny Burstein is fantastic too and I noticed a choice he made which literally gave me goosebumps. After he gives the flowers to Nellie from Emile and she sits to think, he comes slowly close behind her and just nearly touches her on the end, as if to say "it will be alright". Just fantastic.
SO! Anyone who has not seen the show or wants to see it again, please check it out, especially before Laura leaves, because she is totally worth seeing and the show is still in tip top shape!

[Musical Director 109]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 3:07pm

What a beautiful production!!! When is Laura leaving? So glad you liked it and a great review. It makes me want to see it again.

[BroadwayBound062]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 3:52pm

Thanks so much for your review. Glad the show is in fine shape!

[DMsquared2]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 4:05pm

I saw the show on Friday the 31st, and loved it and Laura as well.

Honestly, I'd love a whole show about Bloody Mary and Luther Billis with Danny Burstein and Loretta Ables Sayre reprising their roles.

Andrew Samonsky's speaking voice makes him sound like a such a bro, I found that kind of silly/distracting. Does anyone know if that's a character choice? His singing voice is beautiful though.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 6:03pm

In a review I posted I also made note about Andrew's speaking voice but as the show moved on I stopped noticing it.

Laura's last day is October 4

[goodmanK]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 8:05pm

Yes Andrew's voice/acting startled me at first but it totally grew on me as well. Very different. I just can't say enough about Laura and how sharp the production still is. Just a wonderful revival..

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 8:29pm

I saw it a couple of months ago, and even then thought that Laura Osnes was beautiful in it. But I'm sorry - Andrew Somonsky was....

He sang very well, he was very handsome, but his acting was..... (and I try not to write too many negative things on these boards...) his acting was an embarrassment.

[backwoodsbarbie]

Posted: 8/3/09 at 8:44pm

I agree--this is one of the most beautiful productions I have ever experienced on Broadway and Laura nailed the performance. She made interesting chocies and made the show her own.

[ShowOff2008]

Posted: 8/4/09 at 11:18am

Beautiful production. I hope it will be around for a while-it truly is perfection. It makes me want to take a trip to the South Pacific and fall in love! Laura truly is a stand out in this cast and hope she can maybe do an original show soon. She's just fantastic to watch