Musical ‘South Pacific’ coming in early April to the WHS stage

Post date: Mar 31, 2015 6:12:59 PM

From April 8^th through the 11^th, the Wells Players at Wells High School are presenting Rogers and Hammerstein’s musical “South Pacific” in the school’s Olenn Auditorium. The musical is based on James A. Michener’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 book, “Tales of the South Pacific”.

Seating for Wednesday’s 3:30 p.m. matinee and Thursday’s 7:00 p.m. performance is general admission. Tickets for Wednesday’s show are $5 with free admission for senior citizens. Admission for Thursday, Friday and Saturday’s performances is $5 for students and senior citizens and $8 for adults. Please note that Friday and Saturday’s performances are reserved seating only. Tickets for Friday and Saturday shows can be purchased beginning April 1^st at the main office of Wells High School.

For this production, George Perkins returns as Artistic Director. He is assisted by Musical Director Larry Downing and Technical Director Andrew Lopez. Bailey Smith is the show’s choreographer and Judi Dion is the costumer. The production which began rehearsals in February includes a cast of thirty-two students, nine pit band members including accompanist Karen Mathews, and a technical crew of fifteen.

According to Wikipedia “South Pacific” premiered on Broadway in 1949 and ran for 1,925 performances winning 10 Tony Awards. The story revolves around an American nurse Nellie Furbush (Seana Grealey) stationed on a South Pacific island during the Second World War. Furbush falls for a middle-aged expatriate French plantation owner Emile Du Buque (Tyler Robichaud) but struggles to accept his mixed-race children. There is a secondary romance between a U.S. Lieutenant (Richard Patenaude) and a young Tonkinese woman (Adrienne Perron). The plot explores the Lieutenant’s fears of the social consequences of his marrying his Asian sweetheart. The supporting cast is led by senior Zach Pierce and junior Anna Libby. (Source: Wikipedia)

The musical will run two hours and 15 minutes with one intermission. This timeless musical includes several memorable songs including “Bali Ha’i’, “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair”, “Some Enchanted Evening”, “There is Nothing Like a Dame” and “I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy”.

For more information please call Wells High School at 646-7011.

Tyler Robichaud who plays Emile Du Buque in WHS’s production of South Pacific

Seana Grealy who plays Nellie Furbush in WHS’s production of South Pacific