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Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific (The New Broadway Cast) | 
| Creators: Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein Ii, Kelli O'hara, Paolo Szot, Matthew Morrison, Loretta Ables Sayre, Danny Burstein
Label: SONY CLASSICS
List Price: $18.98
Buy New: $12.67
You Save: $6.31 (33%)
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Rating:  72 reviews
Sales Rank: 255
Format: Cast Recording
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 730457
UPC: 886973045725
EAN: 0886973045725
ASIN: B0017I1G0W
Release Date: May 27, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New and Factory Sealed Item Fast Shipping
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| Tracks:
| • | Act 1. Overture | | • | Act 1. Dites-moi | | • | Act 1. A cockeyed optimist | | • | Act 1. Twin Soliloquies | | • | Act 1. Some Enchanted Evening | | • | Act 1. Bloody Mary | | • | Act 1. There is Nothin' Like a Dame | | • | Act 1. Bali ha'i | | • | Act 1. My Girl Back Home | | • | Act 1. I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair | | • | Act 1. Reprise: Some Enchanted Evening | | • | Act 1. A Wonderful Guy | | • | Act 1. Reprise: Bali ha'i | | • | Act 1. Younger than Springtime | | • | Act 1. Reprise: Wonderful Guy | | • | Act 1. This is How It Feels | | • | Act 1. Finale Act 1 | | • | Act 2. Entr'acte | | • | Act 2. Happy Talk | | • | Act 2. Reprise: Younger Than Springtime | | • | Act 2. Honey Bun | | • | Act 2. You've Got to Be Carefully Taught | | • | Act 2. This Nearly Was Mine | | • | Act 2. Reprise: Some Enchanted Evening | | • | Act 2. Reprise: Honey Bun | | • | Act 2. Finale Ultimo |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
The landmark musical's first-ever Broadway revival! The curtain rang down on Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific in 1954 after five years of extraordinary acclaim and countless awards including nine Tonys and a Pulitzer. Based on James Michener's Pulitzer Prize winning book Tales of the South Pacific, the musical is set on a tropical island during World War II and tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples - U.S. Navy nurse Nellie Forbush and French plantation owner Emile de Becque and Marine Joe Cable and a young local native girl Liat - and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of the war and by their own prejudices. Considered by many the finest musical ever written, the score's songs include such musical theater classics as "Some Enchanted Evening," "Younger Than Springtime," "Bali Ha'i," "There is Nothin' Like a Dame" and "A Wonderful Guy."
Album Description
New Broadway Cast Recording of South Pacific. The landmark musical's first-ever Broadway revival! The curtain rang down on Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific in 1954 after five years of extraordinary acclaim and countless awards including nine Tonys and a Pulitzer. Based on James Michener's Pulitzer Prize winning book Tales of the South Pacific, the musical is set on a tropical island during WW II and tells the sweeping romantic story of two couples - U.S. Navy nurse Nellie Forbush and French plantation owner Emile de Becque and Marine Joe Cable and a young local native girl Liat - and how their happiness is threatened by the realities of the war and by their own prejudices. The score's songs include such musical theater classics as "Some Enchanted Evening," "Younger Than Springtime," "Bali Ha'i," "There is Nothin' Like a Dame" and "A Wonderful Guy."
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| Customer Reviews: Read 67 more reviews...
 SOUTH PACIFIC May 28, 2008
Robert F. Powers (Quincy, Ma USA)
21 out of 28 found this review helpful
'South Pacific" is one of the best scores ever written for the stage and while the new cast recording doesn't tarnish the legacy it doesn't help it either. The score is well sung but that seems to be the main problem-it's too well sung. Everyone seems to be singing as if walking on eggshells as if a little spontaneity may fracture the integrity of the score. This over-zealous respect for the score really shows in one of the most jubilant moments in the show. Nellie is kicking up her heels and walking on air singing about finding "A Wonderful Guy" But Kelli O'Hara has been directed to sing the song without much joy or zing and she seems to have just found "An ok Guy"
I rated this 4 stars principally for the score and the cast including Miss O'Hara, Paolo Szot and Matthew Morrison who are all fine singers but at least on this recording while the songs are well sung-but that's it-well sung but no surprises.
Maybe it's just me-but when I opened the accompanying booklet there is a picture of Kelli O'Hara dressed in an over-sized sailor suit and hat. At first glance i would swear it was Reba McIntyre.
I watched the Tony Awards and Kelli O'Hara performed "A Wonderful Guy". She was bright, perky, energetic-she even cart-wheeled across the stage-but what is more important she sang the song full throttle with the joy she should be feeling at that moment. I stand by my original review and shame on whoever produced the cd and muted and constrained Miss O'Haras performance and I suspect the other cast members were held back as well.
One last mention: Much todo has been made that this is the first revival of South Pacific since the 1949 production. Lincoln Center the producers of this current production also mounted a full-scale production in 1967 starring Carol Brady herself, Florence Henderson as Nellie and Giorgio Tozzi, who dubbed Rosanno Brazzi in the movie version, as Emile. That Cd is still available for purchase on Amazon.
 SOUTH PACIFIC 2008 CAST ALBUM A DISAPPOINTMENT May 28, 2008
Wolfgang (Austria)
20 out of 24 found this review helpful
The current 2008 Lincoln Center revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC, is an absolutely wonderful evening of entertainment, fully deserving of all the praise it has garnered so far. Unfortunately, little if any of the magic and excitement that the stage performance has in spades is to be found on this cast recording of the show. It is truly disappointing to report that the songs are sung here by the principals as if they have left their stage personas behind and decided to merely sing the songs as pop tunes rather than within the context of the show. Paulo Szot, in particular, gives rather lackluster performances of Emile de Becque's songs. On the stage, his acting and singing are exemplary but on this recording he appears to be singing phonetically, giving the impression he does not understand what the lyrics mean, certainly not the case in his stage performance. Even Kelli O'Hara, a superb singer whose voice is perfect for Nellie Forbush, sings her songs so carefully that it appears that she is trying to be letter perfect in her vocal delivery but little else, again in severe contrast from her stage vocals. Matthew Morrison, as Cable is the weakest singer in the show and that is evident even more so on this recording, but at least on the stage he more than made up for his vocal shortcomings by delivering a multi-layered acting performance in the role, which is of little consequence on this recording. In contrast, Loretta Ables Sayre, as Bloody Mary sings her numbers very close to what was heard on the stage and comes across best of all on this recording. The best that can be said of this cast album of SOUTH PACIFIC is that if you are looking for a memento of the stage production and you are completely unfamiliar with any other previous recordings of this score, it will probably be to your liking. It just is not as good as the live stage performance with the same cast.
The best recording of SOUTH PACIFIC remains the 1958 soundtrack South Pacific (1958 Film Soundtrack), which still sounds great and features definitive vocal performances and lush, atmospheric orchestral and choral work that has never been equaled on any recording of SOUTH PACIFIC. The still available 1949 Original Broadway Cast South Pacific (Original 1949 Broadway Cast) with Mary Martin & Ezio Pinza is truly special but the sound is not so good. The soundtrack offers the best combination of performance and sound ever accorded this score. In fact Richard Rodgers himself proclaimed at the time that the 1958 soundtrack was the most perfect recording of SOUTH PACIFIC ever. This 2008 revival cast album has done nothing to change that assessment.
 there is nothin' like a good revival June 6, 2008
John W. Cotner (Belmont, MI USA)
20 out of 23 found this review helpful
it is too easy to judge a revival of a golden broadway hit by the template of the original and find the newer show wanting; this one is not, believe me. i can understand how frank rich of the new york times burst into tears in response to the opening night show; i almost did, too, when i listened to this cd for the first time. this edition of south pacific -- only the second on the broadway stage in 60 years -- is simply sublime. i found it better than the original in many ways. it is the best revival since guys and dolls with nathan lane, better than the recent revivals of the music man (close) kiss me kate (not so much) and pal joey (get oudda here...).
and folks who say this recording is insipid or lacks energy or that certain songs are "too well sung" are all wet. the orchestrations are true to the original ones, so the music will immediately sound familiar and comfortable, but now with 21st century technology and crystal clear sound so you can hear what the music sounded like to folks back in 1949.
kelli o'hara is out of sight as nellie forbush; her voice is pure and clear and pitch perfect and conveys all the energy you'd want and she interprets the lyrics "correctly" (read: as we have come to understand from mary martin and mitzi gaynor). she even affects a southern accent, and exudes way more in good looks and femininity than mary martin ever did, and is more energetic and more of a real singer than mitzi gaynor in the movie. they can mail kelli the tony right now.
paulo szot as emile de becque fills up the music hall with his baritone-bass voice on his big songs, especially twin soliloquies and this nearly was mine. some enchanted evening was a little softer than ezio pinza's and that song needs to be boomed out. i was as satisfied with his voice overall, however, as with pinza's or rossano brazzi's -- and paulo has a sort of robert goulet look about him, with a mustache no doubt meant to instantly convey the french planter look.
the only voices i found wanting and suffering in comparison with the originals were loretta ables sayre as bloody mary -- she is not juanita hall and sounds too much like a middle-aged lea salonga and not gravelly and rough enough to convey bloody mary's edge and cynicism as hall did so well especially on bali ha'i or even happy talk
-- and matthew morrison, as joe cable, who has to strain to hit the high notes on younger than springtime, which william tabbert in the original show never had any problem with. springtime, along with some enchanted evening, are the male arias in this opera and need big voices to carry them off and morrison's is too thin. even on my girl back home he seems to be straining a bit. he does convey more youth than tabbert or john kerr, who played joe cable in the movie, did, which may be what R & H had in mind for the character.
the ensemble numbers -- there is nothin' like a dame, wash that man right outta my hair and i'm in love with a wonderful guy -- are strong and energetic; certainly no complaints there; every bit as good as the original.
one advantage of cds is that you can get more material on them than on lp records so there is some dialogue, which especially is effective when emile introduces his two children to nellie and she reacts as only a carefully taught bigoted southern belle would; you get more context for the drama and progression of the story in the songs.
the show is edgier and more up front and in your face re the race issue than the movie was; anyone who thinks rodgers and hammerstein were all warm and fuzzy fluffmeisters need only watch this show or listen to this cd -- and take a harder look at flower drum song to see that they had courage to confront, sometimes with seriousness and sometimes with humor, the race issue. finian's rainbow, which came out at about the same time, addressed it, too, but only showboat -- which came out 20 years before -- when done right and in its entirety with its full gravity and not as a minstrel show, confronts the race issue more and better than does south pacific.
i think there was an idealistic, optimistic (but not cockeyed) feeling in 1949 that it was a new world after the war and we all had a chance for a fresh start, under new rules, and the old rules, including of racial discrimination, were fair game to be overturned,, in polynesia as well as on main street usa, so R & H saw the opportunity to use michener's story as their soapbox to lend their voices to that movement.
if you are only going to buy one south pacific and want the best and most enjoyable one to listen to, i would buy this one rather than the original cast recording or the movie; i had both of those already, but from now on, this is the one i will mainly listen to -- it is that good.
A Terrific "South Pacific" May 29, 2008
Music Man (Boston MA)
13 out of 21 found this review helpful
After all the hoopla and hosannas thrown at what's been called the finest Rodgers and Hammerstein revival in a generation has now settled, along comes this hotly anticipated Original Cast Recording. While nothing could live up to the hype (it doesn't), this is still a recording to be treasured. This is the first revival on Broadway for "South Pacific", and it's about time. A more complete recording than the 1949 original, this version offers some remarkable singing from the two leads, Kelli O'Hara and Paul Szot, with sterling support from Matthew Morrison and Danny Burstein. While O'Hara's accent is not quite right, hers is the best sung Nellie Forbush ever (sorry Ms. Martin). Always great in the ballad department, O'Hara really shines in the uptempo "Cockeyed Optimist", "Wonderful Guy" and "Honey Bun". She's a hoot. Paul Szot may not be an experienced actor, but he brings gravitas and romance to the part of Emile and nails every one of his songs, especially the (overripe) classic "Some Enchanted Evening". Matthew Morrison brings his always welcome presence to the somewhat bland role of Lt. Cable and Danny Burstein is a real find as everyone's favorite seebee, Luther Billis. The one miss in a fine cast is Loretta Ables Sayer as Bloody Mary. She croons her songs in a girlish and bubbly manner that's more appropriate to a cheap cabaret than a Broadway stage. "Bali Hai", in particular, suffers in the translation. Too bad...it's the greatest song in a show filled with great songs.
Anyone familiar with the Broadway musical knows this score through and through. "There is Nothing Like a Dame"..."Younger Than Springtime"..."Happy Talk"..."You've Got to Be Carefully Taught"..."This Nearly Was Mine"..... There's not a bummer in the bunch. True, the score is overly familiar by now, but that's a testament to its staying power. This version does the material proud. And the clarity of the recording itself is stunning. Crisp and clear but also lush and full, it's a delight to savor. If you're not a fan of the show or of R & H, you'll pass this one by...but if you're a fan of either, or of the traditional Broadway musical, it's a must have. And a welcome visit from a very old friend.
Better than some, not as good as others May 29, 2008
Phillip Matthews (Illinois USA)
10 out of 13 found this review helpful
There are at least ten cast recordings of "South Pacific", including the 1956 film soundtrack and the TV soundtrack. This 2008 gets plus points for including some reprises, the entr'acte, the inclusion of "My Girl Back Home" and presenting the score in it's proper sequence. It loses points for some rather uninvolved performances, and abbreviating "Honey Bun". Only Nellie's solo is included. "Honey Bun" is the major production number in the second act, omitting half of it is stupid! The entire disc runs 64:51, plenty of time available. Better recordings are the Carnegie Hall concert, the ultra-complete Jay Productions, and the 1967 Lincoln Center with Florence Henderson and Giorgio Tozzi. The 1967 Lincoln Center does not have the reprises or the entr'acte, but Honey Bun (although abbreviated) includes the chorus, and overall the performances are much better.
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