STAGE REVIEW : Goulet in ‘South Pacific’ at Orange County

There’s a pivotal scene in the revival of “South Pacific” at Orange County Performing Arts Center that underscores the musical’s enlightened spirit, but also its creaking old age.

It comes when Robert Goulet as Emile de Becque, the mysterious Frenchman, haltingly tells nurse Nellie Forbush that he was once married to a Polynesian girl. Forbush is more than surprised: She’s shocked, even horrified at this revelation, and as she turns away, the orchestra emphatically plays a portentous strain from the score.

Despite the serious intent, it’s a heavy-handed moment and one that must be bemusing to many in the audience. In these more liberated times, the uproar over De Becque’s past may seem archaic, even faintly absurd. The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, first produced in 1949, takes on the status of a theater antique, a period piece.

But the passionate protest against bigotry, which is more gracefully communicated in other parts of the musical, shows what set it apart from most of its contemporaries and helped to win it a Pulitzer Prize in 1950. “South Pacific,” which paved the way for socially conscious shows such as “West Side Story,” may no longer be risky, but its message of tolerance bears repeating.

Except for the melodrama of that scene, director Ron Field delivers the message with sensitivity and restraint. The anguished love affair between Lt. Cable (played by Scott Waara) and the Tonkinese beauty Liat (Helen Tran) is touchingly played out, and Waara’s interpretation of “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught,” the musical’s shout against racial bias, is the believable confession of a man who has seen the light.

Field knows that “South Pacific” above all is supposed to be rousing entertainment, and he strives to charm at least as much as teach. (Though it’s not credited in the program, he also did the athletic but fairly routine choreography.) This is an affectionate and faithful, if somewhat uneventful, handling of a musical that is so specific it really doesn’t present many opportunities for variation.

With its World War II setting and carefully defined characters, “South Pacific” naturally argues against taking too many liberties, and Field doesn’t. Bloody Mary (Amy Jo Phillips) is as bawdy as usual, the opportunistic Luther Billis (Paul Keith) still hustles like there’s no tomorrow, and the gang of Seabees and flock of nurses are kids with personality to spare.

The numbers are bursting with energy and the acting is heavy on broad emotions--predictable stuff, but often diverting as well.

The same can be said of Goulet’s performance. With his mustache and perfect hair, he brings to the role a Las Vegas polish that sometimes gets in the way. He sometimes seems too suave, too self-assured to play a character in exile suffering from a past shadowed by murder and the devastating loss of his wife.

At other times, however, he seems just the right embodiment of the urbane and courageous De Becque. His rich voice and knowing, effortless stage moves make for some satisfying moments.

The chemistry between De Becque and Nellie is less than dynamic, but Rebecca Andrew can’t be faulted for not trying. Andrew’s Nellie is a chipper kid who wears the nickname “Knucklehead” proudly and naively dances and sings through life, completely enraptured by De Becque’s worldliness and mystery.

The portrayal is a little thick with hick, but it’s also full of juice. You want pluck? Check out Andrew’s “I’m in Love With a Wonderful Guy” and “Honey Bun.”

“South Pacific” is arguably Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most atmospheric piece, and the Gerry Hariton/Vicki Baral sets meet its demands. The scenery and naturalistic backdrops create a fertile paradise, dreamy and intoxicating. Richard Winkler’s sensuous lighting enhances the vision.

‘SOUTH PACIFIC’ An Orange County Performing Arts Center presentation of the Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein musical. Producer PACE Theatrical Group. Director Ron Field. Sets Gerry Hariton, Vicki Baral. Costumes Gail Cooper-Hecht. Lighting Richard Winkler. Musical director Larry White. Cast Robert Goulet, Rebecca Andrew, Amy Jo Phillips, Paul Keith, Douglas Carpenter, Scott Waara, Hugh A. Rose, Jeffrey Wilkins, David Pevsner, Lyonell Gregory, Helen Tran. Plays at the Center’s Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa tonight through Sunday, 8 p.m., with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2. Tickets: $16-$38. (714) 740-2000.

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