Posted: 7/21/04

South Pacific

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

South Pacific, the sweeping musical love story made famous by Rodgers and Hammerstein, has come to the Masquerís stage.

The classic story centers around Emile de Becque, a French planter and Nellie Forbush, a nurse who falls in love with de Becque.

A second love story revolves around Lt. Cable, who falls for a young Polynesian girl.

Mike Nazzal directs the production. It is his second Masquerís show. He directed last yearís ìSeven Brides for Seven Brothers.î

ìItís going very well,î Nazzal said in an interview shortly before opening night last week. ìThe people couldnít be better. It was a wonderful opportunity to get involved with the community of Forest Lake.î
While this is his second time with Masquerís, it also is his second experience with ìSouth Pacific.î

Though it was several years ago, Nazzal performed in the show in the past.
Despite the passage of time, ìSouth Pacificî was written in 1949, the director said the show remains relevant.

ìThis is what is known in the trade as a chestnutóan old story thatís extremely relevant,î he said.

ìSouth Pacificî deals with the issues of racial relations, tolerance, a nation at war. It is a love story, it is a story of families, it is a story of culture.

Cast

Forest Lake resident Bill Bender plays Emile De Becque in his first lead role. Janice Lindblom, coming straight from a Lakeshore Playersí production of ìHello Dollyî takes on the role of Nellie.

Masquerís regular Marisa Sykora portrays Bloody Mary. Her daughter Sam, also a Masquerís alum, is Brigitte, one of de Becqueís children.

Another family connection on stage is the family of Chris Ford, Matthew Ford and Livija Ford. The Wyoming family take on the roles of a nurse, sailor, Yeoman and Henry.

Donna Beard, as a nurse and Heather Beard, as de Becqueís daughter Ngana comprise another family connection.

ìItís very much a family affair,î remarked Nazzal.

Other cast members include Masquerís regular Wes McDonald as Lt. Cable. Nurses are portrayed by Crystalina Peterson, Susie Loeffler, Dejah Czech, Meghan McCarville, Livija Ford and Breinn Habdas. Peterson also appears as Liat.

Paul Learned is Luther Billis, Jim McCarville is Capt. Brackett, Brett Mattson is Lt. Adams and a sailor, Dustin Roman portrays sailor and stewpot, Chance Holt is sailor and professor, Travis Hunter and Gary Moen also are sailors.

In addition to Sykora and Beard other children in ìSouth Pacificî are Thomas Mattson as Marcell and Katelyn Meier as an islander.

Support

In addition to Nazzal, other support comes from musical director Florian Keller, choreographer Deborah Wiersma, costumers Marti Steek, set manager/lights and sound by Drew McCullough and Travis Holfelt on light and sound. Wiersma also is producer of ìSouth Pacific.î

Tickets/showtimes

Showtimes for South Pacific are 7 p.m. July 22-24 and 39-31. 2 p.m. matinees are scheduled for Saturday, July 24.

Tickets are available at the Yellow Bus in the Lake Shoppes, 826 South Lake Street, Forest Lake.
Tickets also are available at the door before each performance beginning 30 minutes before each performance.

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