One Enchanted Evening with “South Pacific” at Skokie Theatre

South_Pacific_8 — Max Perkel, Willow Schneider, Tyler Lord and Jacob Cohen in SOUTH PACIFIC. Photo by Emily Silber.

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Can the South Pacific come alive in Skokie? In the capable hands of MapKap Productions at Skokie Theatre, the answer is a resounding YES!

Presenting Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical, SOUTH PACIFIC, as a part of their 10th anniversary season, MadKap Productions has created a powerful production of this World War II story that remains just as relevant today.

Tony Calzaretta as Emile and Willow Schneider as Nellie. Photo by Emily Silber

With music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a book by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan, this play has been adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Tales of the South Pacific” by James A. Michener.

Set against the backdrop of World War II, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s enchanting tale of love unfolds on a remote island in the South Pacific, where two parallel love stories blossom amidst the turmoil of war.

More than just a musical, the story is heartbreaking on many levels. The issues of racism, prejudice, and confronting the status quo take front and center stage.

As with every Rogers and Hammerstein production, it’s the music that steals the show with popular songs like “Bali Ha’i”, “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair”, “Some Enchanted Evening”, “There Is Nothing Like a Dame”, “Younger Than Springtime”, and “I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy”.

The song, “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” echoes the racism that pervades the feelings between the two sets of lovers. “You have to be taught to hate” is the sentiment. No one is born with those emotions. In today’s world, this is truer than ever.

South Pacific is directed by Pat Henderson, with Music Direction by multi Jeff award-winner Jeremy Ramey. Fantastic choreography is by Brenda Good with creative dancers to enhance the story. The show is produced by Wendy Kaplan with Wayne Mell serving as Production Manager for MadKap Productions.

Andrew Buel, Kristin Weed, Willow Schneider and Megan Mariko Boggs in SOUTH PACIFIC. Photo by Emily Silber.

The superb Willow Schneider and Tony Calzaretta lead the cast as Nellie and Emile. Schneider is a joy to behold in every scene and Calzareta’s deep baritone vocals reach the rafters. Their numbers together are spellbinding.

Mariel Saavedra as Bloody Mary and Max Perkel as Lt. Cable. Photo by Emily Silber.

Other standouts include Andy Buel as Luther Billis who gets big laughs and Mariel Saavedra whose passionate performance of Bali Ha’i completely mesmerizes the audience.

The production also features Catherine Atheson, Megan Boggs, Carolyn Boudreau, Jacob Cohen, Luis del Vaille, Molly Hamada, Erol Ibrahimovie Harbiso, Tyler Lord, Max Perkel, Connor Saavedra, Liam K. Schlosser, and Kristen Weed.

Erol Ibrahimovic and Liam K. Schlosser in SOUTH PACIFIC. Photo by Emily Silber.

Kudos to Costume Designer Patty Halajian for her beautiful period costumes that reflect the style of the 1940s, particularly the halter-type shirts and Nellie’s gorgeous cocktail dress.

Carolyn Sundlof Bourdreau, Catherine Athenson, Kristin Weed, and Megan Marko Boggs in SOUTH PACIFIC. Photo by Emily Silber.

A magnificent showcase of musical theater, South Pacific is one show you should not miss.

South Pacific is the second show in the company’s 10th Anniversary Season which began with Grease and continues into the 2024-25 season with the mystery thriller, Boy Gets Girl by Rebecca Gilman, and the new musical Romeo and Bernadette by Mark Saltzman among others. A four-show subscription package is available for only $144 and includes a sixth guest ticket. South Pacific plays now through October 6. For reservations, visit SkokieTheatre.org, or call the box office at 847-677-7761. Skokie Theatre is located at 7924 Lincoln Ave in downtown Skokie.