Theater at its best transports an audience into another time and space. To create such a world requires vision and imagination from a range of artists that may surprise those who sit on the other side of the footlights. One of the most beloved and iconic shows in the American theater, Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific (which has only been seen on Broadway once in its original, legendary production of
1949-54) exemplifies musical theater's collaborative spirit. It began with Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein, and Joshua Logan's transformation of James Michener's Tales of the South Pacific, whose World War II setting was so fresh that many of the actors in the original Broadway chorus could bring their own US Army and Navy uniforms to rehearsal. Now, fifty-nine years after the Broadway premiere,
a circle of remarkable collaborators have come together at Lincoln Center Theater to revive the magic
of this classic musical, and reinterpret it for our own time.
This expanded edition of the Lincoln Center Theater Review celebrates the collaborations that make
a production of this scale and significance possible. In addition to articles inspired by South Pacific's
powerful themes of love, war, and race, we share with you glimpses into the writing, composing and
acting; the direction and design of musical theater both today and in the past; as well as a look at
the people behind the artists who hold everything together; and the fans, for whom South Pacific has been both a cultural and personal touchstone, complete the circle.
This issue is itself a testament to collaboration. In addition to our usual editorial staff we had the invaluable counsel of Lincoln Center Theater's Artistic Director, André Bishop, and its Musical Theater Associate Producer, Ira Weitzman. We reached out to artists we knew, writers we admired, and friends with a deep passion and knowledge of this time and of musicals. We have also been fortunate to have
the help of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, where Ted Chapin, Bert Fink and Carol Cornicelli were generous with ideas and support. Finally, our art direction, created by the Review's long-standing designer Tamar Cohen, has risen to new heights to bring us amazing historical material as well as contemporary artists who reflect South Pacific's themes in our own time. -The Editors
Kekst and Company made a special gift in support of this Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific issue.
The Vervane Foundation also made a generous grant in support of this issue.
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