Mitchell and McEntire previously performed the roles of, respectively, Emile de Becque and Nellie Forbush, in a concert of the 1949 musical at Carnegie Hall. That evening was filmed and subsequently broadcast for PBS's "Great Performances" series and released on CD by Decca Broadway.
Mitchell and McEntire will again inhabit those roles at the California venue on Aug. 3 and 4 at 8:30 PM and Aug. 5 at 7:30 PM. David Lee will direct the concerts, which will feature Paul Gemignani conducting the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Additional performers will be announced at a later date.
South Pacific features songs by composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II and was drawn from James Michener's "Tales of the South Pacific." Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza co-starred in the original Broadway production, which boasted such classic songs as "Some Enchanted Evening," "Younger Than Springtime," "Bali H'ai" and "A Wonderful Guy."
Brian Stokes Mitchell, who was seen in the City Center Encores! presentation of Kismet, earned a Tony nomination for his performance in the title role of Man of La Mancha. He won the 2000 Tony, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards for his performance as Fred Graham/Petruchio in Kiss Me, Kate, and his other Broadway credits include lead roles in King Hedley II; Ragtime; Kiss of the Spider Woman; Jelly's Last Jam; Oh, Kay!; Mail; and the City Center Encores! mountings of Do Re Mi and Carnival. Television audiences will be familiar with Mitchell's work from his roles on "Trapper John, M.D.," "Roots" and "Frasier." Mitchell was elected the 12th president of the Actors' Fund of America, and he has performed in concert halls and cabarets around the country. His new Playbill Records CD is entitled "Brian Stokes Mitchell."
In addition to a slew of awards for her performances in the country music world, Reba McEntire also appeared on Broadway when she succeeded Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters in the revival of Irving Berlin's Annie Get Your Gun. Her performance as Annie Oakley brought McEntire Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards. Her self-titled sitcom, "Reba," is now in its fifth season the WB Network. Her work on that show has brought the singer-actress a Golden Globe nomination and a People's Choice Award. The Hollywood Bowl is located in Hollywood, CA, at 2301 N. Highland Avenue. Tickets, priced $7-$147, are available by visiting www.hollywoodbowl.com.