Hamptons Cultural Center Taking On “South Pacific”

“Rodgers and Hammerstein’s, South Pacific, is based on the Pulitzer Prize winning James Michener novel, Tales of the South Pacific,” explained director Michael Disher. “The story involves an American nurse stationed on a South Pacific island during World War II who falls in love with a middle-aged expatriate French plantation owner.”

Starting Thursday, March 3rd, Center Stage at Southampton Cultural Center will be transformed into an island paradise, where two parallel love stories are at risk of being ruined by the perils of prejudice and war during South Pacific. The Hamptons production will follow the concert adaptation that was created by David Ives for the 2006 Carnegie Hall benefit.

A grand twirl during “I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy.” (Courtesy Photo)

Nellie, a spirited nurse from Arkansas, falls for Emile, a mature French planter, but when she finds out the mother of his children was an island native, Nellie’s just unable to let go of the prejudices of her youth and declines Emile’s marriage proposal. Meanwhile, the handsome Lt. Joe Cable tries to stop his true feelings for Liat, an innocent Tonkinese girl that he’s come to love, because he’s afraid of the social consequences that the relationship will bring. Will love win out in the end or will it be an unhappy ending for Nellie, Emile, Lt. Joe Cable and Liat?

Audiences can expect to hum along to the Broadway musical’s beloved hits. “The celebrated score includes: Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair, Younger Than Springtime, There is Nothing Like a Dame and many more,” added Disher.

Southampton Cultural Center’s South Pacific will star Deniel Becker, Jose Coropuna, Julie Crowley, Shannon Dupuis, Jonathan Fogarty, Richard Gardini, Joey Giovingo, David Hoffman, Aaron Kaufman, Brianna Kinnier, Darren Ottati, Dakota Quackenbush, Douglas Sabo, Jack Seabury, Kimet Speed, Christina Stankewicz, Josephine Wallace, Kristin Whiting, Scout Whiting and Edna Winston.

Doug Sabo sings “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught.” (Courtesy Photo)

Performances will run Thursday, March 3rd through Sunday, March 20th with shows taking place on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 to $25.

Southampton Cultural Center is located at 25 Pond Lane in Southampton. For more information, call 631-287-4377 or visit www.scc-arts.org.