South Pacific Production at Mississippi College Set for September Performances

Unforgettable show tunes like “Some Enchanted Evening” and “Bali Hai” have delighted “South Pacific” audiences for generations.

Making its Broadway debut in 1949, this wonderful portrayal of love stories on a tropical island paradise amid World War II sets sail for a Mississippi College stage this fall.

Featuring students from Mississippi College and area high schools along with performers from metro Jackson, “South Pacific” productions are booked for September 18-28 at the Jean Pittman Williams Recital Hall.

Evening performances on the Clinton campus begin at 7 p.m. on September 18,19,20, and 25-27. Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. on September 21 and 28^th.

The show’s award-winning music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II includes such American classics as “There is Nothing Like a Dame” and “Younger Than Springtime.” After 1,925 performances on Broadway starring Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza, “South Pacific” became a popular 1958 movie featuring Mitzi Gaynor and Rossano Brazzi.

Mississippi College students in leading roles include senior Olivia Broome, a music theatre major from the Carson community in Jefferson Davis County, and junior Jamie Ferguson, a music theatre major from Clinton. They will play the part of Nellie Forbush, the energetic Arkansas nurse falling in love with a mature French planter named Emile de Becque.

Taking on the role of Lt. Joe Cable will be MC junior Nicholas Ford, a composition and vocal performance major from Vicksburg, and sophomore Charlie Bell, an English major from Birmingham, Alabama.

Patton Rice, a celebrated baritone and music instructor at the Mississippi School of the Arts in Brookhaven, will play the part of Emile. He’s performed on numerous occasions with the Mississippi Opera in Jackson and on concert stages around the Southeast.

Other MC students with major roles include Maggie Chancellor of Petal, Sarah Welch of Memphis, William Crutcher of Birmingham, Alabama, Sam Lovorn of Philadelphia, Miss., Satrina Massey of Bruce, and Lee Waits of Hattiesburg.

Performing in musical ensembles will be talented students from MC, area high schools along with Jackson area children and adults.

The educational director at Jackson’s New Stage Theatre, Chris Roebuck will serve as the show’s director. Music director for “South Pacific” is Mississippi College professor Kristin Gunn. The pianist and orchestra pit director will be Tyler Kemp, a new MC music instructor.

The musical is based on the James Michener book “Tales of the South Pacific.” Written in 1947, the book vividly recalls the author’s experiences serving on a South Pacific island during World War II.

Additional information about the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is available by going to http://www.rnh.com.

Tickets cost $20 for adults and $10 for children. The charge is $10 for all students with an ID card. Tickets can be purchased online at mc.edu/marketplace. For additional information about this MC  Music Department production, call Dottie Serio at 601-925-3440 or contact her at serio@mc.edu.