By Joseph Knoop
There is perhaps no time more appropriate for a repeat viewing of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” than the modern American cultural climate, if you ask director Liz Stark.
“It’s a classical piece without being classical,” Stark said. “It’s something I always found odd growing up watching it. ‘Why would people have issue with the race of somebody they might be interested in?’ It still feels very relevant in today’s society.”
“South Pacific” tells the story of two separate but similar romances during World War II. The first tells of an American nurse stationed in the South Pacific who falls in love with a French expatriate but struggles to accept his mixed-race children. The second portrays a romance between a U.S. Lieutenant and a young Tonkinese woman, both fearful for the consequences of their mixed-race relationship.
Rodgers and Hammerstein both intended for “South Pacific” to act as a progressive message on racism. “South Pacific” originally premiered in 1949, just barely off the heels of war, to immense critical claim. Despite the progressive message, a number of theatres still enforced segregated seating.
Stark, who is married to an African American, drew from her own experiences with discriminatory behavior.
“I would think that most of society is OK with [interracial relationships],” Stark said. “But we all have Facebook accounts. I announced my engagement on Facebook and I got a message from a gentleman from Texas that I didn’t even know, saying something along the lines of ‘Please don’t ruin your bloodline.’ That’s just awful that you would still get people out there who still feel that way or still have a problem with that sort of thing nowadays.”
Stark points to the song “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught” as one of the musical’s most meaningful numbers, emphasizing a character’s assertion that you have to be taught to hate people who aren’t like yourself.
“You can be taught the littlest thing when you’re [young]and somehow it’s embedded in your brain as you grow up,” Stark said.
For actor Jeff Stockberger (as Luther Billis), it’s all about loyalty between the roles they play.
“When things go kind of crazy, everyone is looking out for each other. Even the ones you wouldn’t expect,” Stockberger said. “We have a short period of time to work together and seem like we really know each other. It’s very much the same idea as what’s happening [in South Pacific.]”
Deb Wims is also slated to reprise her role as main lead Nellie Forbush. Newcomer Robert Wilde is slated to play the French plantation owner Emile de Becque.
“South Pacific” will run for a total of 49 performances from Aug. 20 to Oct. 4 at the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre at 9301 Michigan Rd, Indianapolis. Free parking is available. Tickets range from $40 to $65, and include an in-house dinner buffet and drinks. To make reservations, call 872-9664. For a full show schedule, visit beefandboards.com.
