Golden age MTG marks 50 years with 'South Pacific'
A platoon of stage veterans will appear in Rodgers and Hammerstein's “South Pacific,” opening April 27 at the Succop Theater at Butler County Community College as the Musical Theatre Guild's 50th anniversary production.
Many of those who were in the show 25 years ago wanted to be a part of this anniversary production as well.
Doug Anderson of Butler played the young and eager Lt. Joseph Cable in MTG's “South Pacific” the last time around, but this time Anderson portrays the passionate yet more mature Emile de Becque.
“He believes strongly that the strong must protect the weak. We should stand for our principles without compromise. He is a loving father to his two children but misses their mother deeply. He is lonely and longs to share his life,” said Anderson, who sought the role for the challenge and the music.
“The chance to sing a well written dramatic baritone role is super. This role demands a lot of range both musically and emotionally,” he said.
For Anderson, “This Nearly Was Mine” is the most moving song of the show. “Musically and emotionally it is very challenging and ultimately fulfilling,” he said.
Suzie Olszewski of Connoquenessing Township is an English teacher at Mars High School by day but is preparing for the role of Bloody Mary at evening rehearsals.
“Bloody Mary is a woman who likes to have fun. The audience will see that in ‘Bloody Mary,' the number she does just that with the sailors,” said Olszewski.
“But she is also a smart, even crafty ‘business woman,' ” she added.
Above all, Bloody Mary wants a good life for her daughter Liat. “She believes that Lt. Cable will give her daughter that good life,” Olszewski said.
In the last production of the musical, Olszewski played one of the Navy nurses, but this new role calls for something extra. “I've had to develop an ‘accent' this time around, and keep it consistent throughout the show,” she said.
Phil and Robin Kriley, spouses from Forward Township, will be sharing the stage for the anniversary production.
Robin will play Ensign Nellie Forbush, the girl next door type.
“The last time I appeared as Bloody Mary. My husband, Phil, and I had just gotten married and the first time he saw me in my Bloody Mary costume, body makeup and wig, he almost ran away. I was truly a fright. But I talked him into sticking around and he's actually in this show playing the part of Luther Billis,” she said.
Phil describes his character as “an entrepreneur full of energy and ideas.
“He's making the best of his situation in the South Pacific by setting up a laundry, a shower concession and a grass skirt manufacturing business,” Phil said.
“He's also very patriotic and risks his life to help make the big operation a success. He idolizes Nellie Forbush, but is smart enough to realize she is out of his league,” he added.
For Robin, this anniversary show is really all about remembering.
“It's an honor to appear in the MTG 50th anniversary show,” she said.
“The first time I appeared in ‘South Pacific' it was directed by Bill Lehnerd, the producer was Dot Pasqualichio, and Emile was played by Wilbur Dumbaugh and the music director was Bob McGinnis, all of whom have passed away since that production. So, when I look back on my previous experiences with this show in 1987, I'm wondering if they're looking down on us and enjoying our work, giving us the thumbs up.”
<B>WHO: </B>Musical Theatre Guild<B>WHAT: </B>“South Pacific”<B>WHEN: </B>8 p.m. April 27 and 28 and 3 p.m. April 29<B>WHERE: </B>Succop Theater at Butler Community College<B>TICKETS: </B>$17, available at May’s Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St., from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays<B>INFO: </B>724-287-8243
