Bali H’ai will call you
BHS owns South Pacific
by Christopher Key
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific is one of the iconic musicals in American theatre. Based on James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific, the production is a daunting challenge, both because of the large cast and because of the complex technical requirements. Bellingham High School and director Teri Grimes pull it off with the aplomb expected from a program of this caliber.
If you’ve never seen South Pacific, you need to add it to your bucket list. If you have seen it before, this production won’t disappoint in the slightest. It delivers all the power and charm of the story in one of the best venues Whatcom County has to offer.
April Hoag is as corny as Kansas in August, just the way Ensign Nellie Forbush is supposed to be. Her surprisingly mature voice will blow you away. Her paramour, Emile DeBecque, is played to perfection by Adam Bigelow. He is totally believable as an older man and his French accent is flawless.
April Hoag and Adam Bigelow star in South Pacific, opening this week at Bellingham High School. Photo credit - Christopher Key
No bartender could concoct a spicier Bloody Mary than Olivia Shrum. Her powerful voice and astonishing stage presence are riveting. Brad Anderson honed his talents at Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth and that training serves him well in his role as the consummate con-man Luther Billis. He also looks pretty good in a cocoanut bra. The rather naïve Lt. Joseph Cable is portrayed with subtlety by Finnegan Hopper. His object of love interest is Liat, Bloody Mary’s daughter. Danielle DeLisle is both innocent and seductive in the role
Andreas Hewitt demonstrates an amazing vocal range as Stewpot. The two military officers trying to hold a chaotic base together are played to parade-ground perfection by Will Lewis and Kell Brauer. Of course, there are two totally enchanting children in the show who play DeBecque’s kids. Kayla Marianis and Ashton Toctocan prove that W.C. Fields was right in refusing to share the stage with such scene-stealers.
There are way too many outstanding performances in this production to list them all and that’s a shame because this show goes way beyond what is expected from a high school show. The choral numbers are thrilling thanks to Vocal Director Linda Short. Maestro Mark Schlichting conducts the orchestra that sounds like something beyond high school expectations.
Teri Grimes not only trains fabulous actors, but fabulous techies, as well. The lighting, sound and set design are up to her usual standards. Grimes admits that the fabulous backdrop was rented at great expense. It’s worth it. It’s totally seductive and helps make the show rock. The BHS theatre program should be appreciated as one of the best in the nation and nothing will drive that home more than seeing South Pacific.
South Pacific plays February 25 through March 7. Tickets are $8 and available at the door or at the ASB office. See http://bellingham.bellinghamschools.org/ for more information.
Don’t miss this Enchanted Evening.
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