Landmark Community Theatre's 'South Pacific' - My Review

South Pacific is a classic Broadway musical playing at the Thomaston Opera House through April 13. Set on an island paradise during World War II, two love stories are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. The well-known music include classic Rogers & Hammerstein pieces like “Bali Ha’i”, “There is Nothing Like a Dame”, “Younger than Springtime” & “Some Enchanted Evening.” I enjoyed seeing how these iconic songs that I certainly had heard before were woven into the plot based on short stories by James Michener.

Director Rob Bongiolatti writes that the first time he saw the show was when the Goshen Players produced it with the late Roberta Coffill Healy in the role of Bloody Mary. Mr. Bongiolatti used the Lincoln Center revival staged in 2008 as their guide for this fine musical chock full of beautiful songs performed beautifully by this talented cast.

As Juan Cardona Jr. played an array of R&H classics on the pipe organ, photos of veterans of WWII and the Korean War were projected on the stage. Seated around me at the matinee, for which I had a complimentary ticket, were many of these veterans that had been invited to attend. Producer Jeffrey Dunn asked them to stand and be recognized during his announcements. This was a nice touch.

The 24 scenes required a lot of set changes and were accomplished by a stage crew dressed like sailors. The set designed by David Verdosci evoke the island paradise, aided by pretty lighting by Josh Peterson. Wonderful costumes by Aurora Montenero and period props by Lisa Iacono completed the picture. Music director Holly McCann conducted the fine pit orchestra and Caitlin Barra provided the fun choreography.

The cast was full of strong performances by seasoned community theater actors. It was such a pleasure to watch them bring this story to life.

Middlebury resident Lucia Dressel has always wanted to play the part of Bloody Mary and dedicates her performance to Mrs. Healy, as did Jeff Savage (Captain Brackett.) Ms. Dressel was perfectly cast in this role. Lou Guertin had great comic timing in the role of the sailor Luther Billis. The always excellent Stephen Michelsson takes to the TOH stage for the first time in the role of Lt. Cable; his clear tenor voice was in fine form.

In the lead role of Nellie Forbush, Cristin Tillinghast was perfection. Last seen at the TOH in the role of Anna in The King and I, this actress can do it all and do it well. As her love interest Emile de Becque, Tom Sheehan gave a very impressive performance. I loved his French accent and his wonderful singing. I was also honored that he mentioned one of my top ten lists in his bio in the program.

The young ladies that played the nurses, including Katie Brunetto and Naugatuck's Erica Blasko, did a great job, especially in their tap number. The group of young men that played the sailors almost stole the show; these guys acted up a storm, as well as singing and dancing as a team. Mr. Savage and Alex Giacin did well as their commanding officers and Louis Bongiolatti and substitute for the first weekend Kennedy Morris were adorable as Emile's young children. 

Congratulations to all involved with this challenging musical. The matinee audience and I thoroughly enjoyed it.