Coming August 7-10: South Pacific at the Soo Theatre!

Nellie Forbush and the nurses (from top to bottom): Lise White, Shirley Wilkinson, Martina Vollman, Melissa Kargiannakis, Elizabeth Jacobus, Julie Meier, and Robin Bergsma.

Set during World War II, an Arkansas country girl, Nellie Forbush, played by Lise White, is a U.S. Navy nurse caring for U.S. Navy soldiers in the South Pacific. After a couple of weeks Nellie met local Frenchman Emile De Becque, played by Tom Lehman. Nellie and Emile immediately are drawn to each other and fall in love but, naturally, as any good romantic comedy goes, there are obstacles in their way. The U.S. Navy sailors with a combination of the U.S. Navy nurses add a lovely banter of comedy between the scenes that Nellie and Emile are apart. The comedic relief is enough to give the show its charisma, but the love between Nellie and Emile keep the audience wanting more. Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Outta My Hair, and Bali Hai are just a few favorite songs from this famous Broadway musical. At the 2008 Tony Awards South Pacific took 7 awards, including "Best Revival of a Musical" and "Best Direction of a Musical."

U.S. Navy sailors (from left to right): Carl Meyer, Scott Gilbertson, Mark San Angelo, Nick Meier, and Michael Irvine.

The 35-member cast of South Pacific is made of all local performers from around the Eastern Upper Peninsula and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The show is also being run by local performers: director Dave Rhinard, music director Karen Hughes, choreographer Dianna George, and piano accompanist Maureen Delaney-Lehman. The directors are very pleased with the cast and feel optimistic that the audiences will fall in love with this production.


South Pacific is being performed at the Soo Theatre Project on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, August 7, 8, and 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. There will also be a matinée on Sunday, August 10 at 2 p.m., with tickets at $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Groups of 15 or more will be discounted $5 from each ticket. Please call in advance to give the box office enough time to accommodate your group.

If you have any questions, please contact the Soo Theatre Project at (906) 632-1930. Thank you and hope to see you at the show!