South Pacific is one of the most celebrated of shows. The music was created by the most celebrated of musical teams, Rodgers and Hammerstein. South Pacific is a story of love, heroism, courage, optimism, and the promise of America. The story was adapted from two short stories by James Michener. The setting is an island paradise during World War II where two love affairs are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. Nellie, a spunky nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with an older French planter, Emile. Nellie learns that the mother of his half-breed children was an island native. Nellie refuses Emile’s marriage proposal because she cannot turn her back on the prejudices that she was raised on. Meanwhile, the strapping Lieutenant Joe Cable denies himself the fulfillment of a future with an innocent Tonkinese girl. He too cannot turn his back on the prejudices of his raising. Emile is recruited to accompany Joe on a dangerous mission behind Japanese lines. In t

his mission Joe is killed. Nellie realizes that life is too short not to seize her own chance for happiness. She confronts and finally conquers her prejudices.

The original Broadway production featured Mary Martin and marked the Broadway debut of Metropolitan Opera basso Ezio Pinza. It opened at the Majestic Theatre on April 7, 1949 and ran for 1,925 performances. The show won the Pulitzer Prize, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and nine Tony Awards. It was the biggest sensation of post-World War II Broadway, and second only to Oklahoma! as the era’s longest-running musical. The musical was made into a successful film of 1958, starring Rossano Brazzi and Mitzi Gaynor in the leading roles, with Juanita Hall in the part of Bloody Mary that she had played in the original stage production. Metropolitan Opera star Giorgio Tozzi provided the voice for the role of Emile de Becque.