CLC's South Pacific Filled with Grayslake Talent

by TLC Nielsen

The opening night of CLC’s production of South Pacific had a packed crowd enjoying the adventures and drama of WW2 armed forces stationed on an island near enemy lines. Nurse Nellie, played by Katie Hahn, falls in love with French plantation owner Emile de Becque, Waukegan’s own David Lundhold. The duets between Nellie and Emile brought the house down. The show’s first song provided the cute factor and featured Grayslake students Charlie Gill, Eli and Avi Chaitman as well as Shalini Krishnswamy of Lake Forest singing “Dite Moi.” Grayslake resident Dustin Helve, in the comedic role of Seabee Luther Billis, played well against the humorous restraint of Charles Pauley as Capt. George Brackett and Patrick Yost as Commander Harbison. The amazing tenor voice of Haggai Simon as Lt. Joseph Cable singing “Younger Than Springtime” was a highlight of the evening.

The 23-piece orchestra, directed by Paul Hefner, provided the music for the talented cast and includes Grayslake North High School students Vern Jensen (trombone), Juliette Gardiner (trumpet) and Andrea Gutierrez (clarinet) and GNHS teacher Paul Nielsen (bass). Joe Perry (trumpet), Michelle Horowitz (bassoon) and Tracey Nielsen (trombone) are also from Grayslake. Violinists Lena Gaetz (Gurnee), Lisa Shaw (Green Oaks), Roslyn Co (Wilmette), and Luann Benoit along with cellists Barb Canon and Ingrid Reid (Libertyville) and viola players Venus Fu (Wilmette) and Erik Larson (Green Oaks) create the strong string section. The wind section of the orchestra was filled out by Betsy Rehm of Mundelein (flute/piccolo), Jeanne Zemaitis of Gurnee (oboe/English horn), Andrew Carpenter of Skokie (clarinet), Charlie Payette of Mundelein (horn), Robin Schoonhoven of Lake Villa (horn), Chuck Finton of Wheeling (trumpet), Garrett Harris of Libertyville (tuba), Dan Prowse of Deerfield (percussion), and Tatiana Naumova of Skokie (piano.)

The Production Crew was headed by Designer/Director Thomas B. Mitchell, Music Director Jean Hersey, Choreographer Valerie Alpert and included the talents of Sally Gill of Grayslake as Costume Designer and Beth Levine Chaitman (Grayslake) as Wig and Makeup Designer. One weekend remains for the musical with performances on July 22 and 23 at 7:30 pm and July 24 at 2 pm. Tickets are $17 for the general public and $14 for CLC/Teen/Seniors 65+ with a $2 JLC facility fee. To order tickets, call the James Lumber Center Box Office at (847) 543-2300 or go online to www.clcillinois.edu/tickets.