Published: July 17, 2008 11:47 am         

CCP to hold auditions for South Pacific July 22

Cumberland County Playhouse will hold volunteer auditions on Tuesday, July 22, for roles in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific. Rehearsal will begin August 12 for a Sept. 12 opening and run in alternating repertory through October 24. Sponsored by Comfort Suites, Holiday Inn Express, and Hampton Inn of Crossville, South Pacific is currently the biggest musical revival and Tony Award-winner on Broadway, and the Playhouse is among very few theaters to have secured the rights to produce it this year.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning work is based on James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific, and tells of romance amid danger during World War II, and the encounter of American GIs and an Arkansas nurse with people of diverse cultures. Featured songs include “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Younger than Springtime” and “There’s Nothing Like a Dame.”  

The show is directed by 1960s Cuban expatriate Henry Fonte, prominent regional theater director/teacher based at prestigious Hartt School performance conservatory in Hartford, CT. Fonte is a colleague of CCP producer Jim Crabtree in the National Alliance for Musical Theater. “Henry’s international perspective and his national directing credentials make him a perfect choice for this musical of Americans far from home in a dangerous world, and the people they meet,” commented Crabtree. 

Leading roles of Emile and Nelly are played by San Francisco Opera baritone Nathaniel Hackmann, seen as the Beast and the Pirate King in CCP’s current Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Pirates of Penzance; and New York’s Ashley Pankow, whose powerful pop-star voice thrilled CCP audiences in Flight of the Lawnchair Man. Quinn Fortune, last seen in CCP’s Ain’t Misbehavin’, plays island leader (and sharp trader!) Bloody Mary, whose daughter is courted by a G.I. Michele Colvin choreographs, with music direction by Ron Murphy. 

“We’re casting a strong multicultural company, with people of color in key Pacific Islander roles," noted Fonte. “That wasn’t really done in the 1940s when South Pacific was written, but seems essential and natural today.”

Roles are available for people of diverse races and cultures, including Jerome (boy, 10 or 11) and Ngana (girl, 8 or 9), young mixed-race children of Emile DeBecque and his late Polynesian wife. Needed are very dark hair and complexions, which makeup can enhance. The Playhouse could cast kids of Asian, African, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean or Pacific Islander heritage. Both are singing and speaking roles. They may also double as island people on Bali Hai. Also needed are two to four military nurses, appearing age 17 to 28, who can sing and move well.

Also casted will be featured ensemble with possible speaking roles, all ethnicities; two to four Seabees, men appearing age 17 to 30, athletic, singers, featured ensemble, possible speaking roles, all ethnicities; Commander Harbison, 40s to 60s, nitpicking officer who drives other officers crazy — can be a non-singing role or may sing in ensemble; Pacific Islander men, women, and teens singing ensemble, some children, ideally various ages, dark-haired, people of diverse races (or who tan well!), some with athletic physiques and skills, and all of whom enjoy singing.     

Those interested are asked to attend a group casting session on Tuesday, July 22, 5-6 p.m. Those who wish to present solo auditions may schedule individual appointments following the group session, and are asked to prepare 16 bars of a song and a one-minute monologue or reading. All planning to attend are asked to register with Meka Doxtator at 484-4324, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. Some gas assistance may be available to volunteers cast in the show who must commute from outside Cumberland County. For ticket information please contact the box office at 484-5000.