1.4 South Pacific!

This week, we continue with our deep dive into Rodgers & Hammerstein with South Pacific (1949) – their first “big hit” and a pioneering (but problematic) look at the deeply-embedded racism of white Americans during World War II.

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We talk about:

Mary Martin, Enzo Pinza, and how Rodgers and Hammerstein created a love story where two characters never have to sing together.
The Phenomenon of World War II and how Rodgers and Hammerstein began to craft a new mythology out the American experience of that war.
Being Carefully Taught: What it means for white Americans to be "carefully taught" to fear and discriminate against those who are not white.
Oscar Hammerstein’s social agenda, his early training in faith and religion, and how South Pacific embodies his theology of social change.

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You’ll hear:

Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza in the Original Broadway Cast Recording (1949) singing "Twin Soliloquies" and "Some Enchanted Evening."
Matthew Morrison singing "You’ve Got To Be Carefully Taught" from the 2008 Broadway Revival recording

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Check out some of our all-time favorites!

Phantom of the Opera
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Jesus Christ Superstar!
Schmigadoon! (Season 1 / Season 2)
West Side Story!
Yentl!
Frozen!
Barbie!

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