South Pacific at Lower Moreland High School

Theater: Lower Moreland High School
Show: South Pacific
Seen: April 11, 2008
Reviewer: Rosa Hargrove

The South Pacific was an untouched piece of paradise-at least until the
Navy, their nurses, and some drama arrives there as well. In Lower
Moreland's production of South Pacific, romance blossoms as profusely as
palm trees and island flora.

During World War II, sailors and nurses live together on an island in the
South Pacific. Nellie Forbush, a nurse from Arkansas, has swiftly fallen
for the French plantation owner Emile deBecque, though she has second
thoughts upon seeing his Polynesian children. Meanwhile, a demure island
native, Liat (Rachel Lewin), enchants Lt. Cable.

A talented cast of fifty players anchored this fine production of South
Pacific, a musical that won the Pulitzer Prize in 1948.

Jessie Brecher's portrayal of the cheery Nellie Forbush was great, and her
polished voice worked particularly well in the cheery "A Cockeyed Optimist."
Glen DeGeorge gave a mature performance as the middle-aged deBecque. They
excelled on songs such as "Twin Soliloquies," where both expressed their
yearning for one another.

Bloody Mary (Brooke Gross), Liat's mother, provided comic relief in her
interactions with the soldiers. But her resonant voice takes an
appropriately eerie turn in "Bali Ha'I," a song about the mysterious island
near the Navy base. And after regretting his refusal to marry Liat because
of her Tonkinese descent, Lt. Cable (David Essenthier) gives a sardonic
meditation on racism, insisting "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught" to be
prejudiced.

The detailed sets augmented the show immensely. The lush, elaborate green
scenery and backdrop of a beach made the auditorium seem like an island
paradise. Lighting changes also altered the mood-the bright lights were
reminiscent of a sunny beach. Though the scene changes were slightly
lengthy, that was to be expected with the large sets. A few sound mishaps
also occurred, but overall, they did not mar the performance.

South Pacific candidly addressed race and prejudice, which was revolutionary
in the late 1940s. Lower Moreland High School turned in a very fine
production of a show that remains relevant even today.

by Rosa Hargrove of Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School