ORU Theatre Program Presents “South Pacific”

The Oral Roberts University theatre program presented the timeless musical “South Pacific,” which is a musical romance about a group of American sailors and Navy nurses stationed in the South Pacific during World War II. Arkansas native Nellie Forbush befriends and quickly falls for Emile de Becque, a French expatriate and plantation owner, and Lt. Joe Cable finds himself in love with Liat, the young daughter of Bloody Mary, the local grass-skirt peddler. As the war against Japan escalates, reality sets in for both Forbush and Cable, who struggle to reconcile their unconventional love with their long-held prejudices and insecurities.

“South Pacific” was directed by Laura Holland, chair of ORU’s communications, arts and media department. The music was written by Richard Rodgers and lyrics were written by Oscar Hammerstein. The story was written by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan and is based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel “Tales of the South Pacific” by James A. Michener.