Emporia State University’s Homecoming musical has become an annual tradition. This year, ESU Theatre will present “South Pacific” as the 2015 Homecoming scholarship musical. Featuring one of the most beloved scores of the musical stage, “South Pacific” is based upon the Pulitzer-prize winning “Tales of the South Pacific” by James A. Michener. The musical was also awarded a Pulitzer in 1950.
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical romance centers on a group of American sailors and Navy nurses who are stationed in the South Pacific during World War II. Arkansas native Nellie Forbush (Sydney Main, junior, Emporia) befriends and quickly falls for Emile de Becque (Nathan Dale Short, senior, Paola), a French expatriate and plantation owner. Meanwhile, Lt. Joe Cable (Evan Eisenbarth, senior, Cassoday) finds himself in a passionate affair with Liat (Donicia Vasquez, sophomore, Topeka), the young daughter of Bloody Mary (Whitney Landreth, senior, Wilson), the local grass skirt peddler. As the war against Japan escalates, reality sets in for both Forbush and Cable, who struggle to reconcile their unconventional love affairs with their long-held prejudices and insecurities.
Richard Rodgers composed the music with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Hammerstein and the show’s original director, Joshua Logan, wrote the book. “South Pacific” is under the direction of Jim Bartruff. The choreography is by Lindy Bartruff and Penny Speedie is the musical director. The production stage manager is Lisa Tinker (senior, Derby), with assistance from Ethan Crapser (junior, Olathe). Nancy J. Pontius is designing the settings and senior Elizabeth Kennell (senior, Belton, MO) is designing the lights. Susan J Mai is designing the costumes. Indy Dambro is the sound designer and Sue Seeman is the accompanist.
Other students in the cast include Chandler Archer-McGinnis (senior, Topeka), Elliott Brest (senior, Tonganoxie), Emmanuel Cockrell (senior, Junction City), Aubrey Jenkins (freshman, Admire), Tyler Lang (junior, Wichita), Harriel Mack (sophomore, Newton), Matthew Mahr (freshman, Overland Park), Paige Maley (freshman, Burlington), Eric Maxwell (freshman, Garden City), Brendon Mayanja (freshman, Zimbabwe), Barry McAnulty (junior, Bronson), Hewleek McKoy (freshman, Olathe), Rachel Muirhead (sophomore, Hays), Miranda Nation (senior, Winfield), Fran Opheim (sophomore, Olathe), Andrew Ralston (freshman, Topeka), Zulema Renteria (freshman, Emporia), Jacob Schaefer (freshman, Pratt), Justin Cole Scheck (freshman, Gardner), Madison Joye Schultz (freshman, Topeka), Raphael Isabella Tate (freshman, Leavenworth), Justin Tinker (senior, Las Vegas) and Rochele Watson (senior, Oak Grove, MO).
Four Emporia schoolchildren are also in the cast of “South Pacific.” They include Grace Fianu (grade 6), Chrissy Noble-Speedie (grade 7), LeiLani Tapscott (grade 5) and Ben Ziek (grade 8).
Proceeds from this production support scholarships for ESU students in the performing arts. “South Pacific” runs Oct. 22 through 24 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 25 at 2 p.m. in Albert Taylor Hall on the Emporia State University campus. Tickets can be reserved at the university box office in the Memorial Union or by calling 620-341-6378.