South Pacific

This is one everyone should know. I mean, it'sSouth Pacific. Rogers and Hammerstein musicals are legendary for a reason. They're immediately recognizable, the lyrics are timeless (for the most part, considering most are period pieces), and the music is incredibly catchy.

The music is by Richard Rogers and the lyrics/book were written by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan. It opened in 1949 on Broadway, during a time when the subject matter was still very much in the public mind due to reasons I'm not going to explain, because if you don't already know, I weep for humanity. Unfortunately, I can't find an mp3 version that contains all the songs, so this is going to be a bit condensed and the descriptions will be short. I'm really sorry for that. :( Let's get started.

The overture, as in typical R&H fashion, is sweeping and magnificent. It summarizes the musical themes of the show all into one orchestral piece.

The first song, "Dites-Moi", has a slow musical intro and two half-Polynesian children singing while they're playing together. It's a nice introduction.

"A Cock-Eyed Optimist" features Navy nurse Ensign Nellie Forbush singing to plantation owner Emile de Becque about staying positive that the outcome of the war will be fine. It's one of those upbeat numbers that you hear a lot in older musicals - especially R&H ones.

"Twin Soliloquies" has both of these characters singing to themselves about the love they have for the other. It's a sweet and romantic song that foreshadows some of the musical themes later on.

"Some Enchanted Evening" is probably one of the most popular songs in the history of showtunes. It has Emile expressing to Nellie his feelings and regales how he fell in love with her immediately. If you listen to a Broadway radio station, you're likely to hear this one at least once a week.

"Bloody Mary" is an example of how desperate the men on the island are getting when it comes to women. It's a pretty funny song and it's very hummable.

"There is Nothin' Like a Dame" has the soldiers all fantasizing about what it would be like if there were actual women on the island. It's yet another classic that you'll hear often.

"Bali Ha'i" is a song with a haunting melody about a mysterious island called Bali Ha'i. The Navy needs someone to go there to help them succeed in the war effort.

"I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of my Hair" has Nellie deciding that she has fallen in love with Emile for little reason and that she'll spurn him. Pretty much immediately afterward, Emile visits and invites her to a party where he explains his past and asks Nellie to marry him. She accepts.

"A Wonderful Guy" is pretty much the opposite of the last song and is my absolute favorite song on the entire soundtrack. She's happy to be in love with Emile.

"Younger than Springtime" has Lt. Cable and Bloody Mary's daughter, Liat, falling in and, er, making love. It's a sweet song. Bloody Mary happily proclaims that Cable will be her son-in-law.

Now, because of the way this soundtrack is, we're skipping ahead to Act 2.

"Happy Talk" is a song by Bloody Mary urging Cable and Liat to marry and not to worry too much. Cable fears his racist family won't accept her and declines, which doesn't turn out well. This song is very catchy.

"Honey Bun" has Nellie dressed as a male sailor singing about his sweetheart. The song isn't really important, but it is good comic relief. As well all know, there needs to be comic relief in a play...especially in the second act when things are bound to get darker. After this, Emile tries to convince Nellie to marry him after a "fight" they had earlier. She claims she can't do it because she knows that Emile's children have a Polynesian mother. Lots of racism in this play.

"You've Got to be Carefully Taught" has Cable explaining that hatred, prejudice, and fear are not natural things and are taught to people at a young age. He's obviously not happy about it.

"This Was Nearly Mine" has Emile lamenting what he could have had. He decides to go with Cable to Bali H'ai. It's a sad song, obviously and what happens afterward is even more sad.

Cable ends up being killed and Emile narrowly escapes.

"Finale" as my cd calls it, is a reprise of "Dites-Moi". Emile, Nellie, and their children sing the song as the show closes. She has dropped her prejudices and we have a happy ending (for this set of lovers, at least.)

There's not much more that can be said of a musical like this, as most R&H plays follow a certain formula and this musical is VERY well-known. Still, I'm glad to listen to it through again. I again apologize for the shortness and the delay. The next review won't be like this.