The exclusive American Express presale will continue through Nov. 10, at which point tickets go on sale to the general public. Tickets for the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic have been on sale to Lincoln Center Theater members since Oct. 15.
The Lincoln Center mounting of South Pacific marks the musical's first Broadway revival since its 1949 stage debut. Performances begin on the Vivian Beaumont Stage March 1, 2008, with an official opening set for April 3.
Two-time Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara returns to the Lincoln Center stage in the role of naïve Midwestern nurse Nellie Forbush, co-starring with renowned baritone Paulo Szot, as French plantation owner Emile de Becque. Joining the romantic leads will be Hawaiian actress Loretta Ables Sayre as Bloody Mary.
South Pacific, starring Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza, won nine Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for its Broadway debut in 1949. South Pacific features music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, who penned the book with Joshua Logan.
Based on James Michener's collection of short stories "Tales of the South Pacific," the musical focuses on a French planter, Emile de Becque and his love interest, Nellie Forbush, a naïve young nurse from Arkansas. Set against the backdrop of the Second World War, South Pacific offers a lushly romantic score while challenging audiences with themes of racial intolerance and bigotry. The Rodgers and Hammerstein score includes numerous American songbook classics, including "Some Enchanted Evening," "Wonderful Guy," "Younger Than Springtime," "Happy Talk," Bali H'ai" and "There Is Nothing Like a Dame." The original production featured Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza.
Bartlett Sher, who directed the Lincoln Center mounting of Light in the Piazza, will helm the revival of South Pacific, featuring sets by Michael Yeargan, costumes by Catherine Zuber, lighting by Donald Holder, sound by Scott Lehrer and musical direction by Ted Sperling.
American Express cardholders may currently purchase tickets by visiting www.lct.org.
