Cast Off in ‘South ‘Pacific’

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s second collaboration, “South Pacific,” is a much-loved show, but, oddly, it isn’t staged very often. With its roster of hit songs, including Broadway’s first song addressing racial bigotry, with its interesting book--by James Michener--it would seem to be in as much demand as such other R&H; shows as “Sound of Music” or “Oklahoma.”

Seeing the current revival at Huntington Beach Playhouse, for the most part, is like greeting an old friend.

Michener combined several of his stories from “Tales of the South Pacific” into a single tribute to the Seabees, sailors and nurses who fought in the Pacific during World War II. The stories concern nurse Nellie Forbush, who falls in love with a local French planter, Emile de Becque, and Lt. Joseph Cable, who falls deeply for a Tonkinese young woman named Liat.

Liat is the daughter of the show’s most memorable figure, the indefatigable Bloody Mary. Both affairs involve issues of race, which shocked Broadway at the time but are still pertinent.

“South Pacific” is an exuberant, buoyant show, with the big production numbers going to the sailors and Seabees, including “There Is Nothin’ Like a Dame” and “Bloody Mary.” There are also lilting ballads, “Bali Ha’i” and “Some Enchanted Evening” with the sound of Polynesian breezes floating through them.

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Director Kysa Cohen fills the stage with energy and bravado, maintaining the show’s bright spirit and its fervent insistence on Hammerstein’s thematic optimism.

When Cohen misses, it doesn’t detract much from this revival’s appeal. Her choreography is unimaginative for both the male and female choruses, and in some instances her casting is questionable.

Jennifer Rule is sassy and pert as Nellie, but her light soprano doesn’t always blend with Nellie’s often boisterous, brash lyrics. Rule is best when she’s in low gear, in what’s called chest voice, but sounds out of place when she switches to the head voice.

David Kirk Grant is an odd choice for the role of the young, impetuous Lt. Cable, whose naivete belongs to a kid less mature than Grant. Grant’s tendency toward stodgy delivery, coupled with an attitude of greater authority than should be Cable’s, makes the affair with Liat seem more lecherous than magical.

He sings beautifully, but he’s not a kid fresh out of college, and his mature treatment of Cable’s realization of the causes of prejudice, “You’ve Got to Be Taught,” is more adult anger than a young man’s reaction to the emptiness in his background. His love ballad might aptly be retitled “Younger Than Autumntime.”

The third odd casting is Evelyn Canedy as Bloody Mary. In spite of working in ludicrous brown-face, Canedy at least has found the ebullient humor in Bloody Mary’s larcenous dealings and given her enough depth and warmth to make her character valid, and she sings both “Bali Ha’i” and “Happy Talk” with charm and a twinkling eye.

Jim Sandy, on the other hand, is perfect for the role of De Becque. He has the smooth veneer in dialogue and song of a world-weary Frenchman who has been away from home for 20 years, and his big, rich voice suits “Some Enchanted Evening” and “This Nearly Was Mine” to a tee. Another highlight is Rovin Dickenson’s performance as the Seabees’ biggest wheeler-dealer, Luther Billis, with a voice as large as his comic flair.

Linda Garen Smith’s cumbersome set gets in the way of the production most of the time, but even that can’t take away the sheer gusto of the show, which is this revival’s saving grace, and most evident in the rousing performances of the Seabees and sailors, the real stars this time around.

* “South Pacific,” Huntington Beach Playhouse, 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach. Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.; matinee July 5, 2 p.m. Ends July 20. $10-$15. (714) 375-0696. Running time: 2 hours, 50 minutes.

Jennifer Rule: Ensign Nellie Forbush

Jim Sandy: Emile de Becque

Rovin Dickenson: Luther Billis

Evelyn Canedy: Bloody Mary

David Kirk Grant: Lt. Joseph Cable

A Huntington Beach Playhouse production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical, with book by James Michener, adapted from his “Tales of the South Pacific.” Produced by Lorraine & Jim Krasinski. Directed and choreographed by Kysa Cohen. Musical direction: Tim Nelson. Scenic design: Linda Garen Smith. Lighting design: John Fejes. Sound design: Bill Bingham. Costume design: Loretta Lupo. Stage manager: Samantha Swaim.