The IDP production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific opened at The Historic Hawaii Theatre Thursday evening and enchanted yet another audience with its timeless songs, raucous comedy and bittersweet love stories.
The show closed Saturday with one final performance to a near-sellout and highly appreciative Hawaii Theater audience.
The Star Bulletin printed the following review on Saturday morning:
http://starbulletin.com/2005/03/05/features/index2.html
Glenn Cannon of the University of Hawaii theater department is guest director. Broadway dancer and choreographer Christine Yasunaga '89 is choreographer. Iolani School choral director John Alexander is musical director.
Iolani junior Jakara Mato plays Nellie Forbush a Navy nurse from Little Rock who finds love and enlightenment on a lonely island.
Senior Emmanuel Zibakalam is Emile deBecque, a planter with a past that entrances and then shocks Nellie.
Sophomore Dillon Powers plays the love-struck Lt. Cable, and Tatiana Wilson plays a bloody, bawdy, mercenary Mary.
Reviews:
First from a director:
The cast, crew, pit orchestra, directors and everyone behind the scenes of the ‘Iolani Dramatic Players' spring musical production of South Pacific should be mighty proud!
The Thursday, March 3 opening night was "Some Enchanted Evening" indeed. In the 23-year history of annual spring musicals, South Pacific ranks as perhaps the most ambitious and difficult theatrical undertaking, and happily those involved met the challenge squarely and prevailed.
The depth of the onstage talent is perhaps the most striking feature of this production.
Although much of the weight of the show is carried capably upon the shoulders of Jakara Mato and Emmanuel Zibakalam with their portrayals of nurse Nellie Forbush and French planter Emile de Becque, a plethora of other actor/singer/dancers dazzle in their respective roles.
Some notable standouts are the golden-throated Tatiana Wilson as Bloody Mary, effervescent Nathan Anderson as the irrepressible Luther Billis, a.k.a. "Big Dealer," the debonair Dillon Powers as the ill-fated Lt. Cable, and a stern and commanding Charles Fasi as Capt. Brackett.
Many other fine performances abound, not the least of which is that by the gorgeous and unusually lush, 31-piece pit orchestra which includes harp, tuba, and English horn, along with a multitude of strings and a beefy brass section. No anemic, 5-piece, synthesized combo here, but the real deal from the golden age of Broadway!
And speaking of Broadway: Fresh from her recent run on 42nd Street in The Lion King, Iolani alumna Christine Yasunaga's choreography snaps, crackles and pops, enabling even the least-experienced among the cast to move like a pro. The stage pulsates with youthful energy throughout the production as this powerful and moving story unfolds before a highly appreciative audience.
Do yourself a huge favor and come see this magnificent musical theater masterpiece tonight, Friday, March 4, and Saturday, March 5 at 7:00 pm at the historic Hawaii Theatre.
You'll laugh, you'll cry, your heart will soar, and all for only $10.00!
Second, Peter Armstrong, history teacher emeritus:
Congratulations to IDP for putting on the best spring musical yet.
It shows what can be done in the hands of
professionals: Glenn Cannon and Christine Yasunaga.
Hats off to Nate Anderson (Luther Billis). I find it hard to believe that this is his first show. He is a natural: confident, comedic, with an excellent sense of timing, and he can dance too. A true show stealer.
Jakara Mato (Nellie) is perfect in her role, projecting perfectly the naivete and charm of a young girl in love. She dances beautifully and possesses a fine singing voice.
Tatiana Wilson is wonderful as the in-your-face Bloody Mary, and, in my opinion, has the most beautiful voice in the show.
Emmanuel Zibakalam (Emil) looks uncannily mature in his role. Seldom does one find a high school undergraduate who looks credible playing a character many years older.
Dillon Powers does well as Joe Cable with his fine tenor voice, although I detected a couple of discrepancies in his Marine Corps uniform, but that's nit-picking.
The male chorus work is particularly noteworthy. They sing with virility and clarity. They not only sing and dance well, but they also project a sense that they are having a great good time doing it.
The girls' dancing shows the work that Christine Yasunaga put into the show, as does their singing. Unfortunately, the play gives them an undeservedly minor role.
High School dramatics can be painful at times rather than pleasureable.
South Pacific is pure pleasure.
A special lifetime achievement award must go to David Masunaga '75! I am finding it difficult to cope with the fact that he is closing in on "the big 50."
Peter C. Armstrong
South Pacific Poster
South Pacific Cast List
Hawaii Theater
