South Pacific (2015)-14437

Audiences enjoyed tropical sights, a mysterious mountain, and singing and dancing as the high school presented “South Pacific” in the school auditorium March 5-7, 2015.

The classic Rodgers and Hammerstein show featured a cast, pit orchestra and crew of more than 100 Lower Dauphin students. 

Set in an island paradise during World War II, two parallel love stories are threatened by the dangers of prejudice and war. Nellie, a spunky nurse from Arkansas, falls in love with a mature French planter, Emile. Nellie learns that the mother of his children was an island native and, unable to turn her back on the prejudices with which she was raised, refuses Emile's proposal of marriage. Meanwhile, the strapping Lt. Joe Cable denies himself the fulfillment of a future with an innocent Tonkinese girl with whom he's fallen in love out of the same fears that haunt Nellie. When Emile is recruited to accompany Joe on a dangerous mission that claims Joe's life, Nellie realizes that life is too short not to seize her own chance for happiness, thus confronting and conquering her prejudices.

The cast included Rachel Bitner (Nellie), Patrick Harner (Emile), Meredith Hazen (Bloody Mary), Logan Grubb (Billis), Christopher Brian (Cable), Miranda Vares (Liat), Patrick Norris (Brackett), James McDonough (Harbison), Jacob McCorkel (Stewpot), Kaylor Long (Professor), Hunter Scherr (Quale), Frankie Vernouski (Adams), Michael Gainer (McCaffrey), Ruby Rhoad (Nurse), Maddy Waters (Lead Nurse), Katie Rynearson (Dinah Murphy), Leah Miller (Janet MacGregor), Jen Ray (Second Nurse), Patty Wylie (Third Nurse), Meghan Johnson (Fourth Nurse), Caley Sadler (Tired Nurse), and seniors Elizabeth Hansen, Alyssa Smith, and Taylor Lutz  in the ensemble. Understudies were Beth Rose Schindler (Nellie) and Mariella Nunez (Bloody Mary).

Kevin Strawser directed his 19th show. Valerie Stricker was the producer. Music Director was Elizabeth Colpo. Marie Weber was the orchestra director. Mike James was the technical director. Senior Michaela Robertson was the student director.