**** Over the years, I have probably seen “South Pacific” 20 times, and that doesn’t include the film version. The original Broadway production goes back to 1949, and the story is based on the book “Tales Of The South Pacific” written by James A. Michener. Rodgers & Hammerstein felt that this book which was composed of many mini-stories, would make a musical that would help alert the world to racism and how we as a people were a country of racists and feminists. Watching the brilliant production on the stage at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, one sees that even today, over 75 years later, some of the elements in this story still exist.

Since The Paramount was opened, audiences have found wonderful productions of classics and newer musicals. “South Pacific” with a book by Oscar Hammerstein II with Joshua Logan, along with Hammerstein’s lyrics and the music of Richard Rodgers, directed in tandem by Devon Hayakawa & Trent Stork with some very creative choreography by Morgan DiFonzo, is just another reason that this venue has become one of the top regional theater companies in, not only the Midwest, but probably nationwide. The set by Jeffrey D. Kmiec is sensational allowing us to feel that we are at the planation home of  Emile De Becque ( a solid performance by Devin Archer, who truly stuns the audience with his “Some Enchanted Evening” and then even more with “This Nearly Was Mine”), and then the island of “Bali Ha’i”, and everything in-between. Mike Tutaj handled the projections to perfection, where we could see the tropical breezes, birds in flight, and even planes flying overhead.

The play itself depends on the performances of many, and in this case, the love interest of Emile is Nurse Nellie Forbush ( adorably played by Allsun O’Malley) who has travelled to work in the field to escape her mother. The only thing missing from her was being in nurse clothing/uniform, while all the other nurses were. O’Malley is adorable and shines doing her ” I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair” as well as her “Honey Bun” in the second act. This number is a hoot and is where Matthew Michael Janisse as Luther Billis truly shines. His “belly dance” is worth the price of admission and will have you in stitches. GUARANTEED!

The costuming for this production (Izumi Inaba) are for the most part military uniforms, but the Bloody Mary ( Cindy Chang is terrific) and Liat (Louisa Darr) native costumes are creative. The bathing suit outfits the nurses wear during the “shower” scene are also quite 1949. While South Pacific has some major characters, as listed above, plus one more,  Lt. Joseph Cable (played to perfection by Anthony Maggio), it relies on the power of its ensemble and they are an assorted group of performers who make the flow of the story and the action truly work. Marek Zurowski, Shelbi Voss, Tommy Thams, Zachery Joel Smits, Allison Sill, Morgan Schoenecker, David Sajewich, Callan Roberts, Molly Peery, Ashton Norris, Carolyn Anne Miller,Will leonard, Dario Amador Lage, Emily Holland, Mai Hartwich, Dan Gold, Nick Druzbanski, Loreto Delgado III, Kristen Das, Michael Brown, Matty Bettencourt, Karmann Baiyo, David Rossetti, Joshua L. Green, Chris Khoshaba, Esteban Ortiz-Villacorta and of course the children, played by either Elle Laroco and Vin Laroco or Evelyn Dorough and Bennet Angsurat. By the way, their number  “Dites-Moi” which follows the overture and ends the story is beautiful!

Some of the other musical numbers in this show are “Bali Ha’i”, “Happy Talk” ( Chang is adorable), “I’m In Love With A Wonderful Guy”, “Younger Than Springtime” and of course “There Is Nothing Like a Dame” ) with great choreography. Kory Danielson and the orchestra nailed it!

“South Pacific” is one of the best of Rodgers & Hammerstein! It is a tale of war! It is a tale of finding love in what appears to be the wrong place! It is a story that reveals a lot about people and how they become racists and or feminists! It is a tale of opportunists! But, it is also a tale about people finding themselves and doing things they never thought they would. If you are seeking some great entertainment, I am suggesting that you put this production on your “To-Do” list.

 “South Pacific” will continue Thru – Jun 14th with performances as follows: