Ensign Nellie Forbush is an optimistic young nurse in the South Pacific during World War II. She falls in love with a handsome plantation owner, Emile de Becque. The island is populated with a cast of American sailors and officers, including Lt. Joe Cable, who becomes friends with Nellie. But it is Liat, the beautiful Tonkinese daughter of Bloody Mary with whom Joe falls in love. The war rages around them, but also within them, as each seeks to identify and come to terms with prejudices and social conditioning that brings their love into question.

Show Guidelines

First produced in 1949, South Pacific is a Rodgers and Hammerstein classic set in the Pacific Islands during World War II.  It is drawn from a Pulitzer-Prize-winning 1947 novel by James A. Michener, entitled Tales of the South Pacific, which dealt largely with the issue of racism.  The show explores the theme of cross-cultural relationships.  It is considered by most critics to be one of the greatest musicals of the twentieth century.

Language

The word damn, bastard and hell are each used multiple times. The word “jap” is used multiple times by the American marines.

Violence

There is some shooting. A character is killed offstage.

Drugs/Alcohol

None.

Mature Themes

Nellie initially reacts negatively when she learns that Emile de Becque has biracial children.

The song You’ve Got To Be Taught is about prejudice.

The Tonkinese character, Bloody Mary may be interpreted as stereotyped or one-dimensional by today’s standards. 

Sexual References

It is strongly implied that Lt. Cable and Liat make love when they are left alone by Bloody Mary.