“Some Enchanted Evening” at The Engeman!

The Engeman Theater’s sizzling production of “South Pacific” is the perfect way to jump-start Long Island’s 2025 summer season. Replete with an intoxicating score, a romantic, obstacle-filled plot, and an overarching theme of the importance of cultural tolerance, this lavish musical leaves you with something to talk about long after the curtain falls.

Premiering at the Majestic Theatre in 1949, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” won a whopping ten Tonys, including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Libretto, as well as the distinction of being the only musical to win acting awards in all four categories. In 1950, it picked up the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and the 2008 revival at Lincoln Center garnered another seven Tonys, making it the most Tony Award-winning show in Broadway history. Additionally, the original cast recording remained a number one hit on the Billboard popular chart through the end of the 1950s, and the 1958 soundtrack of the film adaptation was a bestselling album.

Based on the colorful “Tales of the South Pacific,” James A. Michener’s Pulitzer Prize-winning collection of short stories about his real-life experiences as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy, this landmark musical boldly and candidly introduced anti-racist themes to a segregated and deeply divided America. The music is by Richard Rodgers, the lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, and the book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan.

In a chaotic 1940s world, where everyone is running to or away from something, this dramedy pits the horrors of World War II and the insidious roots of bigotry against the dramatic backdrop of an idyllic island paradise. The plot revolves around two intertwined love stories: one involving a young American nurse, Ensign Nellie Forbush, and the French plantation owner, Emile de Becque; and the second involving the interracial relationship between U.S. Marine Lieutenant Joseph Cable and Liat, a young Tonkinese woman.

Addressing the problem of racism, prejudice, and cultural bias in the mid-twentieth century was a radical and controversial stance to take. “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught” is a show tune that postulates the truism that racism is not an inborn trait, but rather an idea taught to us as children. This song inspired so much ire in Southern states that audiences and critics demanded its removal from the musical, and lawmakers in Georgia went as far as to introduce a bill to restrict entertainment that showcased an “underlying philosophy inspired by Moscow.”

The original Broadway show featured Mary Martin as Ensign Nellie Forbush, Ezio Pinza as Emile De Becque, William Tabbert as Lt. Joseph Cable, and Betta St. John as Liat. The 1958 film starred Mitzi Gaynor, Rossano Brazzi, John Kerr, and France Nuyen. Under Hunter Foster’s astute direction, Engeman’s superstar cast rivals the talents of both the original Broadway ensemble and the esteemed movie cast.

Taylor Aronson delivered a nuanced performance as the naive, optimistic, and adventuresome Ensign Nellie Forbush, a U.S. Navy nurse from Little Rock, Arkansas. Aronson’s body language and facial expressions effectively conveyed the emotional rollercoaster Nellie experiences throughout the show, from wide-eyed wonder at the enchantment of living on a remote, exotic island to the exultation of falling in love, and the transformative power of self-reflection when she confronts her own biases. Aronson, a skilled dancer with an exquisite voice, mesmerized the audience with her stellar performances of “A Cockeyed Optimist,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” and “I’m in Love With a Wonderful Guy.”

Broadway veteran Mike McGowan gave a riveting performance as the debonair Emile De Becque, a French expatriate and plantation owner who has lived on the island for many years. McGowan, with his commanding stage presence and rich, velvety vocals, held the audience spellbound during his moving rendition of “Some Enchanted Evening.” The onstage chemistry between Aronson and McGowan was palpable, and their duets, “Twin Soliloquies,” “Some Enchanted Evening” (Reprise), and “This Is How It Feels,” were pitch-perfect and bursting with emotion.

Broadway star Carol Angeli was outstanding as Bloody Mary, the charismatic, bold, entrepreneurial Tonkinese woman who makes a living selling souvenirs to American sailors. Angeli is a showstopping singer who delivered a haunting rendition of the mystical siren song, “Bali Ha’i.” Malia Munley brought a sense of dignity and style to her performance as Liat, Bloody Mary's young, impressionable daughter. At the same time, Bloody Mary croons “Happy Talk,” a song meant to lure Lt. Cable to stay on the idyllic island of Bali Ha’i, Liat dances for him. Munley executed this elegant dance routine with the grace, lightness, and ease of an angel.

Alec Nevin gave an award-worthy performance as the Princeton graduate Lt. Joseph Cable, who falls hopelessly in love with Liat. Nevin and Munley’s heartfelt portrayal of the star-crossed lovers was one of the many high points of this production. Nevin delivered an impassioned rendition of “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught.”

Philip Bryan as Luther Billis, a Seabee and mischievous wheeler-dealer, stole the show with his spot-on delivery of lines and his memorable comedic voice. One of the most hilarious scenes in the show takes place during the play-within-a-play big production number “Honey Bun.” Aronson is absolutely captivating, dressed in a sailor uniform, cartwheeling, kicking, and strutting her stuff, while Bryan, decked out in a grass skirt, coconut bra, and a grass skirt wig, had the audience in stitches as he gyrated, undulated, and shimmied across the stage.

Two other standout performers were Mike Keller as Captain George Brackett and Maxime de Toledo as Commander Harbison. The multitalented ensemble includes Ellie Baker, Madeline Benoit, Michael Bingham, JR Bruno, Peyton Cassity, Joah Ditto, Travis Flynt, Tyler Gallaher, Danny Maguire, Carmella Manapat, Vivica Powell, Kristin Tagg, and Matthew Wautier-Rodriguez. Two talented pairs of young actors share the role of De Becque’s children: Landon Koh and Leo London portray Jerome, and Elizabeth Jiang Zhang and Ylvie Cuison play Ngana.

The dynamic creative team includes choreographer Krystyna Resavy, Alec Bart (Musical Director), Kyle Dixon (Scenic Design), Dustin Cross (Costume Design), John Burkland (Lighting Design), Laura Shubert (Sound Design), Megan Cohen (Props Design), and Jeff Knaggs (Wig and Makeup Design).

Exotic, enchanting, and thoroughly entertaining, “South Pacific” runs now through June 29, 2025. Tickets can be purchased by calling 631-261-2900, visiting engemantheater.com online, or visiting the Engeman Theater Box Office at 250 Main Street, Northport.

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Connecticut and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of "Grant Me a Higher Love," "Why Good People Can't Leave Bad Relationships," and "Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic." Her full-length Music Drama, "Beethoven, The Man, The Myth, The Music," is published by Next Stage Press. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.