South Pacific by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Georgetown Palace, February 22 - March 24, 2013

by Michael Meigs

The Georgetown Palace Theatre has done it again. The production of South Pacific playing weekends through March, 2013, is energetic, polished and entertaining, a celebration of the classic 1949 musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein. It’s a reminder that at mid-century American musical theatre pioneered new directions in entertainment for a public newly aware of the world beyond Main Street, USA.


With their first collaboration Oklahoma in 1943 Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II drew a symbolic picture of the home that Americans were then fighting a war for, including the banding together that excluded misfits such as poor Judd Fry. The post-World-War-II South Pacific, in contrast, is situated retrospectively at a low point in that conflict, showing sailors and Navy nurses sidelined in paradise, amusing themselves with shenanigans and camp entertainment while waiting to engage a distant and faceless enemy.

(photo: Andy Sharp)

It touches, although every so lightly, upon heartland Americans’ instinctive distrust of foreigners. The work conveys a message about bigotry and prejudice: “You've got to be taught/ Before it's too late/ Before you are six or seven or eight/ To hate all the people/your relatives hate;/ You've got to be carefully taught.” That thought is even more relevant seventy-plus years after it was first staged.


The musical numbers are stirring and delightful by turns. Many of them are still instantly recognizable from the opening chords of the live orchestra on an elevated platform hidden behind the backdrops: Some Enchanted Evening; I’m Going to Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair; Bali Hai; A Cockeyed Optimist; This Nearly Was Mine; and Younger than Springtime. The comic ensemble numbers are the carefree There Is Nothing Like A Dame and Honey Bun. Taken as a whole, the music of South Pacific constitutes in itself an extended chapter in the American songbook of popular music.

Read more at AustinLiveTheatre.com. . . .

ALT Video for Georgetown Palace's 'South Pacific': Interviews and Dress Rehearsal Scenes

AustinLiveTheatre interviews leads Christine O'Connor Jean-Jacques and Bob Beare and offers dress rehearsal scenes from the

 

presentation of

South Pacific

the musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein

directed by Ron Watson with musical direction by Justin Langford and choreography by Jesse Smart

playing February 22 - March 24

Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.

Special Needs inclusion show on February 28; Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. on March 9

Georgetown Palace Theatre, 810 S. Austin Avenue, Georgetown, Texas

Ticket prices are $24 General Admission, $22 Seniors (55+), $14 Students (10-22) and Active Military, and $10 Children (9 and younger).  Select your tickets on-line at www.georgetownpalace.com.

Rated for General Audiences

Special Needs Performance of South Pacific at the Georgetown Palace, February 28, 2013

[810 S. Austin Street, southwest of Georgetown Courthouse - click for map]



The Historic Palace Theatre in Georgetown presents a special FREE performance of South Pacific (by Rodgers, Hammerstein, & Logan) for persons with special needs and their families on Thursday evening, February 28, 2013. 


This will be a shortened version of South Pacific and will run for approximately one hour. American Sign Language interpreters will be present, as well as audio describers for the blind (if needed). The show starts at 7:30 pm; seating starts at 6:50 pm for those in wheelchairs, and for all others at 7:00 pm. One evening only, Thursday, February 28, 2013.


Please feel free to invite a special teacher, paraprofessional, or support individual so that you and your child/family can enjoy our show together! For this performance, the Palace will seat about 250, and all seats are FREE.


A number of Palace patrons have donated money to the Palace to help cover the expense of this special showing. More donations are not only needed but will be greatly appreciated!


Because seating is limited, reservations should be made in advance by calling (512) 869-7469 or (512) 869-5081, visiting the Palace office (open M-F 10 am to 4 pm), or by emailing guild.georgetownpalace@gmail.com.


The Palace Theatre is located at 810 South Austin Avenue in Historic Georgetown, just a half-block off the Square.

SOUTH PACIFIC by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Georgetown Palace, February 22 - March 24, 2013

[810 S. Austin Street, Georgetown, Texas]

presents
South Pacific
the musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein
 directed by Ron Watson

February 22 - March 24
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.

Save the date for an enchanted evening (or afternoon) in Georgetown at The Historic Palace Theatre! South Pacific opens on February 22^nd for a five-weekend run on the Palace’s Springer Memorial Stage. The classic musical by Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, & Joshua Logan is set in an island paradise during World War II, with two parallel love stories threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. Well-loved and remembered songs from the production include Some Enchanted Evening, There Is Nothing Like a Dame, Bali Ha’I, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair, A Wonderful Guy, Younger Than Springtime, and You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught. Directed by Palace veteran Ron Watson, with music direction by the talented Justin Langford and choreography by Jesee Smart at her most creative, the stellar cast is in good hands.

South Pacific plays at the Palace on weekends from February 22 to March 24. Actual production dates are February 22-24 and March 1-3, 8-10, 15-17, and 22-24, with some added Saturday matinees a distinct possibility. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday shows are at 2:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $24 General Admission, $22 Seniors (55+), $14 Students (10-22) and Active Military, and $10 Children (9 and younger). 

 Rated for General Audiences 

The Palace seats about 295, with reserved seating paid for in the ticket price. The Palace office in the lobby of the theatre is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. (except for some holiday dates). Purchase tickets and select seating on-line at www.georgetownpalace.com or by calling (512) 869-7469 or (512) 869-5081. (Please call ahead regarding special needs seating.) Visa, Master Card, and Discover Card are accepted.

The Historic Palace Theatre is located at 810 South Austin Avenue in downtown Georgetown and is part of the most beautiful Town Square in Texas!


POSTER
(Click to go to the AustinLiveTheatre front page)

Tech Crew Sought for 'South Pacific,' Georgetown Palace, February 22 - March 24, 2013

[810 S. Austin Street, Georgetown, Texas]

We're looking for crew members for our production of South Pacific. This amazing show opens February 22nd, and runs through March 24th, with 19 performances. We need a lots of help with lots of different positions. We can work around conflicts, though it's important you attend as many of the tech rehearsals as possible, which begin on February 6th. This show will be amazing, and you will have lots of fun. We can and will train you as well. So while experience is helpful, it isn't required. You'll also get 2 comp tickets as well.

Please contact Jessie, her email is jessie@georgetownpalace.com, if you are interested, or if you know friends or family who'd be interested.

Please forward to anyone you know who might be interested in helping. Thanks, Ron

Auditions at the Georgetown Palace for South Pacific, December 8 - 10

Georgetown Palace Theatre Auditions for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific will be held Saturday, Dec 8th, starting at 2 pm, Sunday, Dec 9th, starting at 5:30 pm, and Monday Dec 10th at 7pm. Callbacks will be held Tuesday, Dec 11th, starting at 7pm. Performances will begin February 22nd, 2013, and close March 24th, 2013. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 2pm. All Auditions, Rehearsals, and Performances will be held at the Palace Theatre. To audition, please send an email to auditions@thegeorgetownpalace.org, including your name, phone number, and which day you’d prefer to audition.
ABOUT THE PLAY -  Set during World War II, this Pulitzer Prize-winning musical tells the romantic story of two couples and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of war and prejudices. The show is based on the 2008 Broadway revival of South Pacific which won seven Tony Awards.

Nellie Forbush is a nurse working overseas during World War II. She falls in love with a wealthy, older man who owns a plantation there. When she discovers that the mother of his two small children was a Tonkinese woman, the prejudices she grew up with in Arkansas prevent her from accepting his offer of marriage. Her friend, Lt. Cable, has a fiancée back home, but speaks of her with a sense of duty rather than feelings of love. When he meets a young, innocent Tonkinese girl, he too is forced to face his prejudices. The beloved score’s songs include “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair,” “This Nearly Was Mine” and “There is Nothin’ Like a Dame.”

Music for South Pacific is by Richard Rodgers, lyrics are by Oscar Hammerstein II, book is by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan

We’re seeking around 15 men, 15 women, 1 young boy and 1 young girl around 7-10 years old, and under 5' tall. There isn’t a children’s ensemble for this production. 

Click 'Read more' for extensive additional information and cast list and descriptions.