"Great Performances" 'South Pacific' in Concert from Carnegie Hall (2006)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Directors:

Walter Bobbie
Marc Bruni

Writers:

Oscar Hammerstein II (play)
Thomas Hischak (writer)

TV Series:

"Great Performances" (1972)

Original Air Date:

26 April 2006 (Season 34, Episode 3)

Genre:

Comedy | Music | Musical | Romance

Plot:

A concert performance of the famous Rodgers and Hammerstein musical play. |

Plot Keywords:

Interracial Kiss | Dance | Opera | Concert | Broadway Musical

Cast

Reba McEntire	...	Nellie Forbush
Brian Stokes Mitchell	...	Emile de Becque
Alec Baldwin	...	Luther Billis
Jason Danieley	...	Lt. Joseph Cable
Lillias White	...	Bloody Mary
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dylan Baker	...	Cmdr. William Harbison
Alexio Barboza	...	Jerome, Emile's son
Renita Croney	...	Liat, Bloody Mary's daughter
Alex De Castro	...	Ngana, Emile's daughter
Tom Deckman	...	Professor
Alexander Gemignani	...	Stewpot
John Schuck	...	Capt. George Brackett (as Conrad John Schuck)

Runtime:

USA:120 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Carnegie Hall - 57th Street & 7th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Trivia:

The original Broadway production of "South Pacific" opened at the Majestic Theater on April 7, 1949, ran for 1925 performances starring Mary Martin as Nellie Forbush and Ezio Pinza as Emile de Becque, won the 1950 Tony Award for the Best Musical, Libretto and Score and won the Pulitzer Prize in Drama in 1950.

Movie Connections:

Version of South Pacific (2001) (TV)

Fresh, new version!!!

I came across this version while flipping through channels and almost didn't stop as I have seen the play and movie versions so many times.

I am glad I did as this is an excellent fresh version of the well-worn South Pacific. Produced without sets or backdrops, the cast appeared on a bare stage with just the orchestra. This really placed the focus on the cast and their performances and they carried it off beautifully.

Reba was great as Nellie, her singing and acting were superb--she was very believable. Brian Stokes Mitchell's deep, rich baritone gave new life to the part of Emile. His voice is so much better suited to the part than those recorded previously (i.e. Enzo Pinza). His rendition of "This Nearly Was Mine" was so true you thought his heart was really broken by Nellie's rejection.

Alec Baldwin was a delightful surprise as Luther Billis. Ray Walston left big shoes to fill and Alec filled them to a "T". It was great to see big John Schuck as the commander on prime time TV again. The rest of the cast delivered inspired performances.

If you want a truly entertaining and thought provoking musical experience don't miss this new version of South Pacific!