Listen & Be Heard Weekly Archives

Jennifer King, the head of the drama department of Napa Valley College, directed their spring production of Rogers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific. The musical had been first produced on Broadway in 1947. Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan had adapted the book and lyrics from the Pulitzer Prizewinning Novel by James A. Michner, which entails the two love stories and the sentiments of interracial relationships during WWII. The first story involves an exiled French plantation owner, Emile de Becque, and the exuberant, Ensign Nellie Forbursh, born and raised in Little Rock. In the story, she decides to leave him when she learns of two children from his previous interracial marriage. The other love story concerns a young handsome Lt. Cable and the young exotic innocent Liat, the daughter of the native woman, Bloody Mary, who sells trinkets for her livelihood to the military personal. Lt. Cable resigns that the relationship could never work, because of the ethnic differences. Along with the courtships, the musical contains many lively numbers with the service men and women.

Jennifer King opened the evening with a brief insightful interview with a female veteran who served in the South Pacific in WWII. She enlightened the audience of the endured hardships of adapting to extreme humidity and stories of friendship and love. King dedicated the production to all those who had served in US Armed Forces and continue to do so presently.

Conductor Richard Riccardi led the opening overture as the slides of WWII posters were projected on the background of the set. Many of the slides displayed the women who served in the military. The vibrant colorful stage lighting, designed by Mike Barney, took the audience away to the tropical paradise and alluring passion of the South Pacific. Peter Crompton, the set designer, had allowed the production to flow smoothly without any hampering stage changes. The opposing island shacks and military arsenal kept each scene centered on stage. The costumes, designed by Jane Molen, characterized the time and also, the humid conditions, endured by the characters. The female military nurse outfits demonstrated sharpness and readiness.

The first musical number “Dites Moi” with Becque’s children, Ngana and Jermoe, highlighted the youngest cast members, Nano Konigsmark and Naomi Borrayo. They both handled their scene very professionally and displayed adorable charisma. They were chaperoned by Becque’s servant, Henry, warmly played by Jorge Covarrubias.

Following their exit, enter the couple, Emile, performed by Ted von Pohle, and Nellie, performed by Alice Grindling. The performers had lacked chemistry to believe that there existed any love between their characters. While Grindling performed with Broadway caliber in all her acting, singing and personality, she appeared to have been overly compensating for von Pohle’s lack of emotional commitment in his acting. However, when he sang “Some Enchanted Evening” and “This Was Nearly Mine”, he magically brought life to his stage performance. He only needs to maintain such depth in his speaking lines as well. His accent lacked constituency, too. Grindling displayed the joviality of her character evenly through out the production in her numbers “A Cockeyed Optimist” and “I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Out-a My Hair” and “This is How it Feels.” She arduously followed her character’s transformation from acknowledging her own prejudices to overcoming them with compassion.

With his strikingly handsome looks and a resonant speaking voice, Serf Barnabei, perfectly portrayed the appealing Lt. Cable. Barnabei’s acting had a wonderful understated quality. When Baranabei sang “Younger than Springtime,” his unassuming voice lend vulnerability and his eyes illuminated a very dreamlike vitality. As Lt. Cable reconciled his decision to end his courtship with Liat, Barnabei physically conveyed his anguish as he merely sits on a stair and leans languidly against a wall. His performance was enhanced with the partnership of a beautiful actress, Maria Bello, as the enchanting Liat. Bello captured the expressions of a hopeful young woman waiting to fall in love. Bello and Barnabei shared a sincere chemistry between them, which made their break up even more heartbreaking.

The performers of the smaller roles had sustained the production’s pace and excitement. Lisa Thomas gave an exceptional performance as Bloody Mary in her physicality, humor, and vocal performance. Kevin Brange had the right amount of the energy to portray Luther Billis, the outgoing and highly charged protagonist of his squadron. Ken Salsas, another likable performer, gave conviction to his acting and held a strong stage presence as Comdr. Harbison USN. Nolan Kenmonth as Stewpot , Brandon Hollier as Professor, Bill Shea as Captt. Brackett, James Porter as Lt. Adams, Steve Cairns as Quayle, and Michael Sundin as Radio Operator, Midori Lynne Morgan as Lead Nurse, and Barbara Pond, contributed greatly to the production by giving huge personalities to their small roles. The choreography of Pam Rogers could have used more jazz or 1940’s dance moves. At times, the dancing seemed too redundant and basic. However, for the big chorus numbers, the whole military and nurse ensemble, under the musical direction of Dr. Eve-Anne Wilkes, deserve credit for their enthusiasm and musical vocal performances.

After the show, the enchanting melody of “Bahi Hai” played in my mind, reminding me the strong images of the WWII posters, including the picturesque stamp of the island of Bahi Hai, itself. The production imprinted a reminder of those who had found love in either wartime or unfamiliar territory. After 60 years of South Pacific’s world premiere, Napa Valley College had honored the real lives behind the story. The production continues for two more weekends. It is an opportunity to treat the family or yourself to an evening ot afternoon of entertainment while observing those who served in WWII.

Napa Valley College Little Theater
March 16, 17, 23, and 24, 8 p.m. Matinees: March 18 and 25, 2 p.m.
Tickets: $18 adults, $15 students/seniors. Box office: 259-8077