rOcKS @ 'South Pacific'

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 12:00am

This is, without a doubt and no matter what you may say about the quality of the shows, the most eclectic Broadway season in recent memory. A hip-hop/latin-infused musical with an all latino cast, a rock musical that is more like a rock concert with an all black cast, a production of one of the most popular musicals of all time with the leads chosen by America via a television competition, a British import of a Sondheim musical, a show that opened and closed in the same evening, a one man show about Justice Thurgood Marshall, a 90-minute chamber musical, a musicalization of another John Waters film, a play about the most twisted family that you could imagine, the list goes on and on and on. And the current production of SOUTH PACIFIC just adds to that diverse list of shows because it is so incredibly authentic in every way and because it is the first revival of the second show ever to win the Tony for Best Musical. When the lights dim and the orchestra starts playing R&H's sumptuous score, it's like you are being propelled back to 1950 sitting in your $10 seat watching the original production of SOUTH PACIFIC. Everything about the show feels so authentically old-fashioned (and I mean that in the best way possible) that it's impossible not to leave the theater on cloud nine. It's such a joyus, gorgeous, breathtaking production in every way. It is not, however, a flawless production (I thought Sher's direction was good...but not Tony-worthy. He has his moments of brilliance --and they aren't so rare-- but I was a bit underwhelmed mostly by his direction), but it is pretty damn close to perfect.

First off, the cast seriously could not be better. Kelli O'Hara grows on me with every performance I see her give and she won me over tonight. She's delivering a winning and moving performance that deserves to give Madame LuPone a run for her Tony. Paulo Szot is equally good and will probably --deservedly-- take home this year's Best Actor in a Musical Tony. Danny Burstein was fine (I think he's better off doing more "out-there" musical comedy like DROWSY which I hated but thought him and Beth Leavel were brilliant in...but it is nice to see that he's giving this role his all), Loretta Ables-Sayre was touching and funny while never becoming a ridiculously overblown caricature, Matthew Morrison was restrained but effective, and the male and female ensembles are phenomenally talented.

I already talked about the direction and can't really expand on it much more...I'm going to sleep on it and hopefully be able to expand my thoughts tomorrow. I was just a bit underwhelmed...I think Sher's direction is being a bit oversold. It's good, no doubt about it, maybe even great, but it's not consistently brilliant as many are claiming. The sets, lighting, and costumes are all top-notch and beautiful. The orchestrations are stunning, and the choreography is minimal but effective.

This production is such a throwback to the musicals of yesteryear and it is a much welcome respite from some of the other...stuff opening on Broadway lately (quality-wise etc...). It's close to perfect and a must-see...definitely on my top five list of this past season and my favorite revival of the year (I'm going to GYPSY in mid-June...). Good luck getting tickets, but this is a show that is really worth shelling out the $110 for full-price seats. It's fantastic.

***1/2 out of ****
A-

[BenKaye]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 12:06am

Great review.

What is the "90-minute chamber musical" you're referring to? Adding Machine? Because that's Off-Broadway.

[Heybeenfood]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 12:31am

BenKaye, its "A Catered Affair."

rOcKs, based on your review it sounds more like an A. I found the show to be flawless, and Sher is more than deserving of the accolades he is receiving.

[Gypsy9]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 8:19am

Back in 1950, an orchestra seat wouldn't cost $10--it would be more like $6. And the full ticket price for orchestra seats at the Vivian Beaumont is currently $125. I was able to get decent loge seats for $75 for December. Can't wait to see it.

[SirNotAppearing]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 9:30am

Christ, can anyone get a ticket to this?

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 10:14am

No...good luck. Oh, Sondheim was there last night...as was Keanu Reeves. Random.


I heard the first few people on the cancellation line usually get tickets though...and I sat the in the first row of the loge (great seats). There's honestly not a bad seat in the theater...except maybe the extreme sides of the loge (you miss a bit of the set).

[thetheatrekook]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 11:25am

Haha...I saw Keanu! I was at NYCB and saw him...he has a very large head.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 5/23/08 at 11:27am

He looked emaciated! Ha...and Sondheim really did not look very good.


People were flipping out that he was there...apparently he didn't clap after any of the numbers, only at the curtain call. Odd.