South Pacific April 10, 2013

Lincolnshire, IL – One of Broadway’s legendary romantic musicals, the Pulitzer Prize-winning SOUTH PACIFIC takes the stage at The Marriott Theatre previewing April 3, opening April 10 and running through June 2 at 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Featuring music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan, the original 1949 Broadway production won ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the 2008 Broadway revival won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival. Based on James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific, this all-new production of SOUTH PACIFIC will be directed by David H. Bell with choreography by Matt Raftery.

SOUTH PACIFIC centers on a group of American sailors and Navy nurses stationed in the South Pacific during World War II. The musical tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples, U.S. nurse Nellie Forbush, a “Cockeyed Optimist” who befriends and quickly falls for Emile de Becque, a French plantation owner, and Lt. Joe Cable, who finds himself in a passionate affair with Liat, the young daughter of Bloody Mary, the local grass-skirt peddler. As the war against Japan escalates, reality sets in for both Forbush and Cable, who struggle to reconcile their unconventional love affairs with their long-held prejudices and insecurities. This cherished Rodgers and Hammerstein musical features one of the most ravishing scores of all time including “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair,” “Bali Ha’i,” “Happy Talk,” and “There’s Nothing Like a Dame.”

Starring in SOUTH PACIFIC will be Stephen R. Buntrock as “Emile de Becque” (Broadway: OKLAHOMA!, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, JANE EYRE, TITANIC, LES MISERABLES, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, GREASE; National Tours of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, MARTIN GUERRE and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA), Elizabeth Lanza as “Nellie Forbush” (Chicago Shakespeare’s SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE; Theo Ubique’s THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA; Porchlight Music Theatre’s MEET JOHN DOE and Jeff Award winner for her role in Circle Theatre’s CAN-CAN), Ben Jacoby as “Lt. Joe Cable” (World Premiere of NOW & FOREVER: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber at The Marriott Theatre; Maine State Music Theatre’s THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC; Utah Shakespeare Festival’s LES MISERABLES, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, ROMEO & JULIET), Bethany Thomas as “Bloody Mary” (After Dark and Black Theatre Alliance Award Winner; Court Theatre’s PORGY & BESS; Writers’ Theatre SHE LOVES ME) and Emily Morales as “Liat” (Tony award-winning Broadway revival of SOUTH PACIFIC; Suites by Sondheim concert with Lea Salonga at Lincoln Center).

The cast of SOUTH PACIFIC also includes Alexis Navarrete as “Ngana”, Dylan Lainez as “Jerome”, Stef Tovar as “Luther Billis”, Jerry Galante as “Stewpot”, Stephen Schellhardt as “Professor”, Dev Kennedy as “Captain George Brackett”, and Robert Hunt as “Commander Harbison”. With Audrey Billings Dara Cameron, Aaron Conklin, Jameson Cooper, Courtney Crouse, Jim DeSelm, Jon Harrison, Patrick Martin, Alexandra Palkovic, Amanda Tanguay and Travis Taylor.

Lead Artistic Director Andy Hite heads the Artistic Team for SOUTH PACIFIC with Music Direction by Ryan T. Nelson. The design team includes Set Design by Tom Ryan, Costume Design by Nancy Missimi, Lighting Design by Diane Ferry Williams, Sound Design by Bob Gilmartin and Props Design by Sally Weiss. Patti Garwood conducts the Marriott Theatre Orchestra.

The performance schedule is Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Ticket prices range from $40 to $48, excluding tax and handling fees. Students 17 and under and senior citizen 62 and older receive $5.00 off a full price theatre ticket for Wednesday Matinee, Saturday Matinee, Sunday Matinee and Sunday Afternoon performances. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings a limited number of Dinner and Theatre tickets are available for only $55.00 per person. For Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening dinner reservations in The King's Wharf or Fairfield Inn, please call 847-634-0100. Free parking is available at all performances. To reserve tickets, please call the Marriott Theatre Box Office at 847.634.0200. Visit www.MarriottTheatre.com for more information.