Asolo Opens 2014 With South Pacific

SARASOTA — The Asolo Repertory Theatre will kick off its 2014-2015 season with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific on November 14. The musical is based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, Tales of the South Pacific, by James A. Michener and won 10 Tony Awards for its 1949 original Broadway production.
    
Set on a remote island in the South Pacific during World War II, the story follows Nellie Forbush, a nurse, who falls in love with a Frenchman, Emile De Becque, a widowed plantation owner, who has mixed-raced children. Nellie struggles to accept Emile’s children due to her racist roots. In a secondary romance, Lt. Joseph Cable must deal with his own personal struggle as he falls in love with Liat, a local girl from the island.
    
Some of South Pacific’s cast include first and second season guests such as, Kelly Felthous (Nellie), who most recently performed in the national tour of Wicked, Anthony Festa (Lt. Joseph Cable), performed as Tony in West Side Story on London’s West End, and Ben Davis (Emile De Becque), who most recently starred in London as Fred Graham in Kiss Me, Kate.
 
The musical will feature a live score played by an eight-piece orchestra under the direction of William Waldrop. Some of the play’s most notable songs include, Some Enchanted Evening, There is Nothin’ Like a Dame, Bali Ha’i and I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out-a My Hair.

The musical is directed by Rob Ruggiero who also directed the Asolo Rep’s Ella in 2007 and Show Boat in 2013. This is his third season at the Asolo.

 
There will be additional programming in correlation with the play for public viewing. Inside Asolo Rep: South Pacific, will feature a panel discussion regarding what it takes to bring this play to the stage. Wednesday, November 5 at 11 a.m.
 
Veteran’s Celebration at South Pacific, will host military personnel, veterans and their families at the first preview performance of South Pacific. Tuesday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m.
 
Family Day at South Pacific, requires you to bring some dancing shoes to use for the filming of the South Pacific Music Video. You will learn to dance to upbeat, re-mixed versions of the play’s classic tunes and perform the dance moves in the music video. Saturday, November 22 at 2 p.m.
 
South Pacific opens Friday, November 14, 2014 at 8 p.m., with previews Tuesday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, November 12 and Thursday, November 13 at 8 p.m. The play will run through Sunday, December 28, 2014.
 
To purchase tickets, call 941-351-8000 or 800-361-8388, visit www.asolorep.org or visit the Asolo Repertory Theatre Box Office located at 5555 North Tamiami Trail.

For the full schedule and prices of the additional programming, please visit the Asolo’s website.