South Pacific

An out actor in the cast of the touring company talks about how a Broadway classic speaks to issues of racism and equality.

By Neil Cohen

South Pacific

Classic Controversy

South Pacific deals with issues of racism and equality

South Pacific was controversial when the show made its Broadway debut in 1949 with a story about interracial relationships that shocked people at the time.

Now an out performer in the cast of the touring company coming to ASU Gammage thinks the classic musical has the power to make audiences reassess their views on racism, marriage equality and religious intolerance.

"It opens the door for conversation," actor James Bould said. "It was true in 1949 and it's still true today."

Based on James Michener's 1947 short stories, Tales of the South Pacific, the Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical is set on a Polynesian island where Americans are stationed during World War II.

Nellie Forbrush, a self-described "corny" Navy nurse, has fallen in love with Emile de Becque, a French plantation owner on the island. Joe Cable, a Marine lieutenant, arrives as part of a dangerous mission against the Japanese and falls in love with Liat, the daughter of Bloody Mary, a local vendor.

Both Nellie and Joe have to face their own racial prejudices in order to find love, although a happy ending may not be in the cards.

James Bould Bould plays Commander Harbison, who sends Joe and Emile on the serious mission. It's a non-singing role, which is unusual in the cast.

The show's score includes songs like "Some Enchanted Evening," "Bali Ha'i" and the humorous "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair."

Bould said a high point of the show is the rousing "There Is Nothing Like A Dame" routine performed by the sailors in coconut bras and grass skirts.

He also likes the dramatic scene at the end of Act One, when Nellie walks out on Emile because she can't accept his mixed race children. "You think, ‘We're literally talking about racism here,'" Bould said. "Oh my God, she's a bigot."

But it's the song "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught," that deals with racism, that caused a stir when the show originally opened. Bould noted that a producer wanted to cut the song from the show.

"The show is constructed so that there's no applause after that number. In 1950, no one was going to applaud after that song, no matter how gorgeously Cable sang it," Bould said. "There still is racism that is really prominent, so that song has just as much weight today 62 years later.

"For myself as a homosexual man, whenever there is discrimination (in a piece), I can identify with it," he said.

Bould said that his upbringing in a small town in Florida made him appreciate how others have faced discrimination and lack of acceptance. "I think we all carry that empathy," he said. -E

VITAL STATISTICS

South Pacific
Jan. 19-15
ASU Gammage
1200 S. Forest Ave., Tempe
Tickets: $20-$80
480-965-3434; www.asugammage.com