Class Preparation
- Read Chapters 5 ("So Far") and 6 ("Enchanted Evening") of Purdum's Something Wonderful. Also read the part of Chapter 9 ("Beyond Broadway") about the making of the film of South Pacific (pages 256-260).
- YouTube has a full 2005 concert performance of South Pacific at Carnegie Hall (starring Reba McIntyre and Brian Stokes Mitchell), though it is split into thirteen different parts. Parts 1 and 2 are HERE; the other sections should be easy to locate once you watch this part. This performance has minimal staging and actors are in formal wear, but the singing is really good.
- Although I mentioned on June 4 that there was an entire performance of the 1958 film on YouTube, that video is now for rent or purchase (and I don't particularly recommend it).
- An interesting perspective on the initial reception of South Pacific is provided in this article by Jason Cochran titled "Why They Sobbed at South Pacific and We See Only Corn."
Handouts
Links to South Pacific videos referenced in class
- Ted Sperling conducts the Overture to the 2008 Revival of South Pacific (2010 broadcast on PBS).
- Mary Martin & Ezio Pinza perform on the 1954 TV Tribute to Rodgers & Hammerstein ("I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair," "Some Enchanted Evening" (reprise), and "A Wonderful Guy.” [9:29]
- 2008 Broadway Revival (2010 telecast) scene of "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught" and "This Nearly Was Mine" (Andrew Samonsky as Lt. Cable, Paulo Szot as Emile) [10:02]
- “Honey Bun”—Reba McIntyre & Alec Baldwin, Carnegie Hall, 2005 [3:02]
Links to additional videos
- South Pacific revival performance at the 2008 Tony Awards (medley) “There is Nothing Like a Dame,” “Some Enchanted Evening,” and “A Wonderful Guy.”
- 2008 Broadway Revival (2010 telecast): "Some Enchanted Evening" with Paulo Szot & Kelli O’Hara. [2:10]
Class Feedback
|
What worked?
|
What would make it even better?
|