The musical tells the story of Nellie Forbush, a nurse from America who is working in the South Pacific during World War II. She meets and falls in love with a French plantation owner, Emile de Becque, despite her discomfort with his mixed-race children. The story of these two romances explores the problem of racism during this time.
“It is something that is still relevant today,” junior Kayla Eilers, who played the role of Nellie in Saturday’s show, said. “We deal with racism even now. It reaches out to multiple different audiences of all ages.”
There were two separate casts for the show, including 10 principal roles and an opera chorus of about 30 for each cast.
Eileen Jennings is a last-year doctoral student who played Bloody Mary, a unique Asian islander who sells souvenirs to the U.S. sailors who are stationed there. She said her favorite part of the show was her first scene.
“It’s a storytelling moment and it’s a fantastic moment,” she said. “It’s one of those moments in any show that I’ve done where you know you’ve captured a character when everybody in the room is silent and watching you.”
With four weeks of preparation prior to performing in five shows, the actors could finally settle down and fully take in the applause.
Attendees from the audience could go to the Green Room in the basement of the Musical Arts Center and talk to the actors after the show. This provides a place for the actors to acknowledge and thank everyone for coming, Jennings said.
Many of the actors got close to each other offstage as well as on. There was also a cast party they all attended after the last show to celebrate and enjoy the little time they had left together.
Cast members took their roles seriously and tried to get into character as best they could, Jennings said.
“I am loud and boisterous,” Jennings said. “I love laughing. These are all things that I had to remind myself that Mary is as well. You find a way to make the character your own by loving the character. I would love to be a mother just like her.”
The cast can now reflect back on the show and think ahead to what is in their future. After this show, Jennings will finish up her last round of exams.
“During that time, I’m going to start the whirlwind of interviews and auditioning for companies,” she said. “That’s kind of nerve-wracking.”
Eilers said she will continue her theater endeavors.
“I am doing a children’s show at Cardinal Stage Company,” Eilers said. “They are doing ‘Junie B. Jones.’”
As the cast members start preparing for their next shows and move on to other projects, the theater program will prepare for the next musical, “Into The Woods.” Tickets are available now, and the show starts April 17.
