Maine may not have the “infinite specks of coral,” “coconut palms waving gracefully toward the ocean,” and the “inner lagoons, lovely beyond description” that James Michener reminisced about in “Tales of the South Pacific,” but Mother Nature was doing her best Friday to make theatergoers believe the Ogunquit Playhouse was located in the South Pacific, rather than in Maine.

There was still a sultry quality to the evening air as patrons lounged on benches outside the playhouse, sipping chilled beverages, while waiting for the house doors to open, and the journey to the South Pacific to get under way.

As the curtain opened on a silhouetted beach scene, the backdrop became translucent as if the sun was dawning on the horizon. A window appeared, revealing the orchestra, conducted by Ken Clifton, playing the well-known overture of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific.” Then, the full set glided into place, obscuring the ever-present, but once again unseen orchestra.

Ogunquit’s “South Pacific” has all the trademark, memorable songs from the classic musical but offers a fresh approach, with a new rendition based on the Lincoln Center Theater Production.

April Boyle is a freelance writer from Casco.  She can be contacted at:

aprilhboyle@yahoo.com

Read the full review in the Maine Sunday Telegram.


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