Customer Reviews

South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

In the beginning, was the Score. And oh, my, what a score it is; truely one of the gems of the Golden Age of Broadway Musicals. One is transported, as classic after classic washes over you. And although some of the references are a bit dated, ("skin as soft as DiMaggio's glove"), it makes no difference. That old cliche': "they don't write 'em like this anymore", is certainly true.

The performers are really wonderful. Jason Danieley and Lillias White are standouts. Perfect for their roles. Alec Baldwin made me laugh out loud. (What a hambone!) And Brian Stokes Mitchell! Wow! Dude can sing!

As a long-time fan of Country Music, I have watched the artistic growth of Reba McEntire for many years, but she continues to amaze. Her performance in "Annie Get Your Gun" was sublime. And I think she is wonderful here, bringing zest, heart, and passion to her role. Not to mention that voice. You can hear one syllable of one word, and immediately know it's Reba. There's no singer like her. As Country fans know, she has always been a premier story-teller in song, and she uses that talent to great advantage here. Once again, she's made her fans proud. Nice goin', Red.

The only thing better than this CD? That would have to be the DVD, scheduled for May 2006. Can't wait.

I watched this concert on our local PBS station, and was completely captivated. Firstly, no one has sung the part of Emile like Brian Stokes Mitchell; forget what you think you know of "This Nearly was Mine". His version is simply the most beautiful one I've ever heard. He sang it with such passion that it moved me to tears.
Secondly, I must admit I'm not a Reba fan. Nothing against her, but I just don't care for country music. HOWEVER...
She did an incredible job as Nellie. Her Tulsa accent worked very nicely as the girl from Little Rock. And she put such joy and energy in the part, I couldn't help but love her.
Thirdly, Lillias White was absolutely outstanding in her role, singing "Bali Hai" better than I've ever heard it.
True, this is an unusual version of this musical, but that's what I enjoyed about it. The songs are of course familiar, but they have a new life to them in this concert version.

Those Broadway aficianados - some appear on this page - who approach show tunes the way opera buffs do opera - as a sacred pure art - will drop their monacles when they hear Reba McEntire bend notes like steel girders. And after hearing Mary Martin work so hard (and well) to disguise her Texas twang in the incredible original cast recordings ("...waiting for the daunce", for instance), it is a shock for a moment. But then the rightness of the contrast with Mitchell's operatic barotone creates the same magic that Pinza and Martin had, two very different worlds, styles and talents that somehow merge. Though the very difficult circumstances may contribute real nervousness to McEntire's performance (these concerts are always wildly under-rehearsed for financial reasons), she works it into her performance and gives Nellie a quality of vulnerability that illuminates why her fears would pull her back from her passion. Mitchell plays the very adult quality of his character well, a man who expects trouble even from a woman he loves deeply; racism is no surprise to him, he'd seen Hitler rise. This takes thirty years off the script. He sings the magnificent "This Nearly Was Mine" perhaps a shade too slow in tempo, but with the phrase cut for time in the middle section of Pinza's recording restored and Mitchell's acting of it, this is the definitive version as of now. His performance is wisely informed by Pinza's, just as any Henry Higgins is by Rex Harrison's, but built on to make it his own. White does similar work with Bloody Mary, absorbing Juanita Hall without imitating her. Cable is very well sung if flatly acted; Alec Baldwin condescends to the underwritten baffoonish part of Billis, but is fine anyway (fortunately his singing appearance is brief). The sailors even sound believably lusty, if still not the equal of the real ex-sailors Joshua Logan assembled for the original production. The only complaint here is that every scrap of underscored dialogue is included, and it's cued so that you can't just play the songs. Which makes it ideal for one listen, then you wish you could have an edited version (which in fact I am making on my Mac as we speak) closer to the length of the original. All in all, with its great restored orchestrations and this cast, it's the equal of the original, which I memorized when I was five. Supposedly dated, done this intelligently and with this kind of talent, there is no reason "South Pacific" couldn't be a smash on Broadway all over again. As with "Showboat", Oscar Hammerstein's liberal humanity still glows from a much uglier era of racial relations. This recording not only shines musically, it dispells the erroneous notion that the work suffers from any tinge of racism itself (something that may have risen from the somewhat smug movie version). "You've Got to Be Taught", which they had to fight to keep in the score, still has a sting and rings true fifty seven years later. Note: there is little to recommend the DVD because the performance with scripts and almost no staging on the small Carnegie stage is visually dull, worth catching on PBS maybe, but the CD is the keepsake.

It was only by accident I came across the Great Perfomances show on PBS, South Pacific at Carnegie Hall. Prepared to listen and look for a minute -- the evening flew by and I was enchanted from beginning to end. The really GREAT voice was Brian Stokes Mitchell as French planter Emil. I always thought Ezio Pinza was THE Emil but Mitchell kicks major derrier. His voice breaks my heart and never have I heard the songs sung as well or with such depth as Mitchell brings to the role of Emil. Reba was as good as it gets. At times she was uncomfortable with the lines and wish her nervousness had not come through in the speaking parts but the songs and music.....Reba WAS Nellie Forbush. Her energy seemed to carry everyone to new levels and this rendition of South Pacific sparkled. Wish Reba and Mitchell would do it on stage, complete production. Now I am anxious to get the CD and put my tape of the movie version of South Pacific out of its misery. SP is my favorite musical bar none. I don't know why but it just makes me glad to be alive. I hope Reba and Brian Mitchell do take this version of South Pacific on the road. I would go a long way to see it. Alec Baldwin was OK as Luther Billis .... but Ray Walston is still my favorite. Reba was terrific and Mitchell....God gave him a voice that must make angels weep.

As South Pacific is a musical about love and race relations, I initially found the idea of Brian Stokes Mitchell as Emile deBecque a strange one. The cd, however, joyfully makes for complete color-blind casting. He is extraordinary...long, lush, velvety vocal lines with fully realized emotions. You haven't heard "This Nearly Was Mine" until you hear his with the delicious Orchestra of St. Luke's brought down to an almost shimmering nothingness. Alec Baldwin is hysterical, Lillias scene-stealing, and the chorus boisterous and raucous, filled with testosterone and estrogen. Purists will be disappointed in Reba, but Reba fans will be thrilled. Kudos to Paul Gemignani and his musical direction.

I had the pleasure of being in the audience for this amazing Carnegie Hall Concert presentation. Brian Stokes Mitchell, Jason Danieley, and Lillias White were clearly born for these roles. Mitchell soars on "This Nearly Was Mine" (Pinza who?), while Danieley has the voice of an angel in "Younger Than Springtime". White brings sparkle and life to the part of Bloody Mary. Reba McEntire was clearly vocally right for the part of Nellie, but was not quite comfortable with the concert setting, a flaw that really does not come through on the recording. Alec Baldwin made a funny and surly Luther Billis (his spoof on "Bali H'ai" is quite funny). I have never been a fan of "South Pacific", but Mitchell and Danieley have changed all that.

This is the greatest, most electrifying recording of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific ever! With the full orchestrations by Robert Russel Bennet restored and a cast of legendary performers, it's brilliant!
Let's begin with Reba McEntire. Ms. McEntire breathes new life into the role of Nellie. Although Mary Martin was superlative and will probably never be topped, McEntire gives a performance that is funny, touching and moving. Her vocals are also top notch. Mr. Brian Stokes Mitchell, Broadway's reigning leading man is also excellent. His two big numbers "Some Enchanted Evening" and "This Nearly Was Mine" bring the house down. His dialogue is performed with humor and conviction. Alec Baldwin is also fine in the comic role of Luther Billis. Although he's no great singer, he gives a very funny performance. Lillias White as Bloody Mary is also wonderful. She sings the role beautifully and delivers her dialogue perfectly. As Lt. Cable, Jason Daniely is also excellent.
The orchestra, under the baton of the legendary Paul Gemignani, is outstanding and the ensemble, made up of Broadway's best up and coming talents, is remarkable.
Although Carousel still remains my personal favorite of the R&H works, South Pacific isn't far behind and this recording does justice to the wonderful show.

This recording is a wonderful gift to all of us that love musical theatre. At first Reba sounded a bit too country for me on this album but after a couple of numbers you realize there is no way Reba can do it anyway but hers. And you fall under her enchantment. Brian Stokes Mitchell's Emil is every bit as powerful as you can imagine. Lilias White is a rich, spirited Bloody Mary. Alec Baldwin steals every scene he appears in. Highly Recommended.

I'm not a big Rodgers and Hammerstein fan (I prefer Rodgers and Hart), but I've always had a soft spot for South Pacific. Those lush, romantic melodies (the movie had a big effect on me as a kid) still have the ability to send my spirits soaring whenever I hear it. Ands its message of racial tolerance is still timely today. This could very well be the best recording of the show. (I confess I've never heard the Mary Martin version, but have heard all the others). Everyone shines on this concert recording. It's nice to hear Nelly Forbush with a real southern accent. Reba McIntyre is a perfect Nelly. And to hear Brian Stokes Mitchell sing Emile will send chills down your spine. There isnt a false note or performance on here. From Alec Baldwin as Luther to Lillias White as Bloody Mary, everyone gives a standout performance. What a great orchestra too. Why cant someone raise the money and get this cast on Broadway? It would be a smash!

Excellent - What a great idea to have Reba McIntire play Ensign Nellie Forbush. Nellie in the musical is from Little Rock, Arkansas. Reba is a great actress and it is nice to have Nellie's songs sung in the country style instead of legit style. I like the legit style in most broadway shows. Brian Stokes Mitchell is also great as Emille DeBecque and the audience gives him a standing ovation for a long time after he sings This Nearly Was Mine. Even though it is 'just' a concert version rather than fully staged, I was thoroughly into the story and I shed lots of tears. Conrad John Schuck as Captain Brackett is great, too.