`SOUTH PACIFIC' BREEZES BACK; THEMES STILL RELEVANT IN GREAT SHOW.Byline: Patricia Hesselbach Special to the Daily News The Cabrillo Music Theatre will open its 30th season today with ``South Pacific,'' the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic that the company traditionally performs every 10 years. ``South Pacific'' is set behind front lines in World War II on an island where military personnel and islanders Islanders may refer to:
The romantic main theme of the story is influenced by political and cultural subtexts. ``To this day, it's a very vital story,'' said Mark Madama, director of the production. ``We still are dealing with interracial in·ter·ra·cial adj. Relating to, involving, or representing different races: interracial fellowship; an interracial neighborhood. issues.'' In contrast, he added, ``The American idealism as to who we are - as our view of ourselves as caregivers of the world - is different now since Vietnam.'' The show will run from today through Nov. 16 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza is a performing arts and administrative center located in Thousand Oaks, California. It was built in 1994 on the former site of "Jungleland" at a cost of $63.8 million. Probst Center for the Performing Arts. ``This is a period piece with a new outlook,'' said Stephanie Block, who plays the role of Ensign Nellie Forbush. For Block, who has played leading ladies in musical theatre productions throughout Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, , this is a second time around as Nellie. She enjoys the pert, ebullient character and the wide range of emotions Nellie displays. ``I will be tugging at heartstrings and washing my hair all over the stage, the cast and everything,'' said Block, who shares the bubbling personality of the Navy nurse she portrays. One minor departure in the Cabrillo production gives French planter planter, farm or garden implement that places propagating material such as seeds or seedlings into the ground, usually in rows. Broadcasting, i.e., scattering seed in all directions, by hand followed by harrowing (see harrow) to cover the seed with soil was an early Emile de Becque, Nellie's leading man, two little daughters instead of a son and daughter. ``They auditioned one right after the other,'' Block said about the two little girls, ``and they were just too cute'' for either to be rejected. To make opening night novel, Cabrillo Music Theatre enlisted 24 fifth-grade girls from a Honolulu school to make genuine flower leis and head wreaths. Special guests and sponsors will be met with a true island welcome arranged by the Sacred Hearts Academy Sacred Hearts Academy on 3253 Waiʻalae Avenue in the hillsides of Honolulu, Hawaiʻ students. Children in need will benefit from ``South Pacific'' ticket sales. A portion of show proceeds will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that grants wishes to children (2.5 years to 18 years old) with life-threatening medical conditions. . The nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. makes special hopes and dreams come true for children with terminal or life-threatening medical problems. ``South Pacific'' will run for only seven performances. Tickets are available at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, through any Ticketmaster outlet or by calling (805) 583-8700. Prices range from $18.50 to $28.50. CAPTION(S): 3 Photos Photo: (1--Color only in Simi and Conejo editions) Steve Scott Springer, left, and Joseph Bearss perform in ``South Pacific.'' (2--Color only in Simi and Conejo editions) Siony Liebe sings the role of Bloody Mary in the Cabrillo Music Theatre production of ``South Pacific'' in Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. . (3--Color only in Simi and Conejo editions) Stephanie Block washes that man right out of her hair on a Conejo stage. David R. Crane/Daily News |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion