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A contemporary view of 1949's 'South Pacific'

 played for nearly 2000 performances. It earned 10 Tony awards. The soundtrack was a best-seller.  Meanwhile, several states found it so subversive, they attempted to ban this iconic musical. 

's message about prejudice was progressive for its time, and many found it threatening in 1949. Today, that innovative message of tolerance has become complicated by what now seem dubious racial stereotypes.

 remains evergreen, because of the timeless songs that resonate with enduring human truths, and characters who struggle with real defeats and triumphs. With a major summer production on stage at the 

, John Birge invited cast members Erin Mackey and Edward Staudenmayer, who play Nellie Forbush and Emile de Becque, to sing and and to talk about how to bring a contemporary point-of-view to this much-loved show.

Guthrie Theater - 'South Pacific'

John Birge has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.


John Birge

With a major summer production of 'South Pacific' at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, John Birge invited cast members Erin Mackey and Edward Staudenmayer, who play Nellie Forbush and Emile de Becque, to sing and and to talk about how to bring a contemporary point-of-view to this much-loved show.


Bringing a contemporary view to 1949's 'South Pacific'

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