Super 'South Pacific' at Tuacahn

SOUTH PACIFIC, Tuacahn Amphitheater, Ivins, through Sept. 2 (800-746-9882 or www.tuacahn.org). Running time: 150 minutes (one intermission).

IVINS — With an intermittent light rain showering the amphitheater, Hyrum Smith told an evening audience that it does rain in the South Pacific, so the show still goes on.

To buy a little time, the Tuacahn executive producer and CEO had former servicemen — from World War II, as well as today's battles — stand and be recognized. Meanwhile, ushers passed out garbage bags for patrons to use as makeshift umbrellas.

For part of the first act of Tuacahn's faithful rendition of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "South Pacific," it looked like the Seabees and nurses would be doing their "Singin' in the Rain." (One dancer did slip on the wet stage during the rousing "There Is Nothin' Like a Dame.")

But the weather cleared up and the talented cast members stuck to what they do best — delivering the familiar tunes and dialogue of a show that many theatergoers know practically by heart.

Directed by Tim Threlfall, with choreography by David Tinney, "South Pacific" is well-suited to Tuacahn's broad, outdoor expanse, with plenty of room for Jeeps, military trucks and Quonset huts, with the red-rock outcroppings at the back of the stage magically transformed into exotic Bali Hai.

The leading performers are all first-rate, especially Amy Jo Phillips as feisty Bloody Mary, Suzie Jacobsen Balser as Ensign Nellie Forbush, John Racca as Emile de Becque, Laila Brown as Liat, Brandon Strawder as Lt. Cable and Kenneth Wayne as Luther Billis.

St. George siblings Brady and Bryanna Karratti are perfectly cast as de Becque's young children, Jerome and Ngana.

With 25 scene changes, ranging from a Navy base to island locales, roll-around set pieces make for quick and smooth transitions. The most spectacular scenic effect comes near the end, when the troops are moving out to confront the Japanese battleships. Searchlights blaze, bombs explode and a stereo-sound system fills the amphitheater with the clatter of planes taking off.

And there are all those wonderful songs — the energetic "Cockeyed Optimist," "Bloody Mary" and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair," the lyrical "Some Enchanted Evening," and my favorite, "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught," which still resonates today in a world of social unrest and hate.

---

E-mail: ivan@desnews.com