South Pacific Provides an Enchanted Evening While Damn Yankees Fails to Score Big
Broadway is at its best when it combines new creative juices such as Passing Strange and In The Heights with the glorious musicals dynamically revived such as South Pacific and Gypsy.
The current Lincoln Center Theatre production of South Pacific is a flawless presentation of the great Rodgers and Hammerstein classic tale with a cast not missing a beat. Kelli O’Hara, Paulo Szot, Matthew Morrison and Danny Burstein along with a full formally clad orchestra bring to life the glorious music filling the theatre with three hours of pure joy. The dramatic moments of the piece are beautifully acted along with the lighter aspects of the show. Nellie does attempt to “wash that man right out of her hair” eight times a week which, according to Kelli O’Hara, is actually a wig with a microphone under it snugly fastened to her head. Danny Burstein shared info re his tattoos which he applies on a weekly basis. As the audience leaves the theatre I think they have the feeling that they were indeed transported to Bali Ha’i.
Damn Yankees, currently in previews at New York City Center, featuring Sean Hayes, Jane Krakowski, Cheyenne Jackson, Randy Graff and a raised on stage orchestra is an okay version of an okay musical that is a crowd pleaser at times but lacks that special quality. The performances are acceptable but neither the actors nor the show shines and with the exception of a couple of songs the music is not memorable. You don’t exit the theatre thinking you’ve wasted your time but get thee to Gypsy and South Pacific if you want to catch a couple of great revivals. Unfortunately, it’s too late for Sunday in the Park with George.