Having already headlined Noel Coward's The Girl Who Came to Supper, and developed a relationship with Rodgers and Hammerstein (a national tour of Oklahoma!) and Joshua Logan (the 1954 Fanny), Florence Henderson makes an at... more »tractive and very enjoyable Nellie Forbush in Lincoln Center's 1967 production of South Pacific. She's joined by Giorgio Tozzi (who dubbed the vocals for Rosanno Brazzi in the 1958 South Pacific movie) as Emil de Becque, Irene Byatt as Bloody Mary, and Justin McDonough as Lt. Joe Cable, while as Liat, Eleanor Calbes has an interesting reprise of "Bali H'ai." This 48-minute recording won't replace the original Broadway cast, of course, but it's a solid all-around effort especially because of Henderson, who went on to future fame as the matriarch of The Brady Bunch. --David Horiuchi« less
Having already headlined Noel Coward's The Girl Who Came to Supper, and developed a relationship with Rodgers and Hammerstein (a national tour of Oklahoma!) and Joshua Logan (the 1954 Fanny), Florence Henderson makes an attractive and very enjoyable Nellie Forbush in Lincoln Center's 1967 production of South Pacific. She's joined by Giorgio Tozzi (who dubbed the vocals for Rosanno Brazzi in the 1958 South Pacific movie) as Emil de Becque, Irene Byatt as Bloody Mary, and Justin McDonough as Lt. Joe Cable, while as Liat, Eleanor Calbes has an interesting reprise of "Bali H'ai." This 48-minute recording won't replace the original Broadway cast, of course, but it's a solid all-around effort especially because of Henderson, who went on to future fame as the matriarch of The Brady Bunch. --David Horiuchi
CD Reviews
LINCOLN CENTER'S "SOUTH PACIFIC" FINALLY MAKES IT TO CD!
J. T Waldmann | Carmel, IN, home to the fabulous new Regional Perf | 08/31/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Even though SOUTH PACIFIC initially ran on Broadway for 1925 performances, won thirteen Tony Awards AND the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950, and became a very successful motion picture (1958), it is the only major Rodgers and Hammerstein show that has never seen a Broadway revival. Go figure. In spite of the fact that I saw the movie version four times, I must confess that the score ranks number four with me, behind CAROUSEL, THE KING AND I, and OKLAHOMA! (I'm probably the only person in the world who doesn't like THE SOUND OF MUSIC!) That doesn't mean that I'm not a SOUTH PACIFIC fan. The final scene always hooks me. And I treasure the 1949 original cast album.
A few weeks ago I was reading John Kendrick's reviews (Musicals101.com) and came across the following: "The 1967 Lincoln Center Cast (Columbia) has not made it to CD, but for many years it was an excellent (and more complete) alternative to the Original Bway Cast. Giorgio Tozzi is a superb Emile, and Florence Henderson perfect as Nellie. Irene Byatt's Bloody Mary and Justin McDonough's Lt. Cable are thoroughly satisfying, as are the ensemble numbers. This production was overseen by Rodgers, so it is small wonder everything turned out so well. A real pleasure if you can find it." When I read that it was to be released (on August 29), I immediately pre-ordered my copy.
This recording is everything Mr. Kendrick says it is. It also benefits from stereo recording, even though it's not as lush and layered as the Lincoln Center recording of THE KING AND I. If Florence Henderson sounds a bit like Mary Martin, well . . . . (I caught Ms. Henderson's outstanding "Maria" in the National Tour of SOUND OF MUSIC. I didn't miss Mary Martin at all.) Georgio Tozzi is every bit as fine as Ezio Pinza, and he had already dubbed Rossano Brazzi's songs for the movie. Justin McDonough is fine, and Irene Byatt could be a vocal twin of Juanita Hall. The big bonus is Eleanor Calbes (Liat) singing a lovely French version of "Bali Ha'i."
My only reservation is that this recording lacks the sparkle of the `49 original cast. At times, the chorus and orchestra are just a little too smooth. But it's a very small complaint, and didn't keep me from thoroughly enjoying this recording. And, yes, I got a little chocked up during the final scene.
Just because I don't want Florence Henderson to remembered primarily for "The Brady Bunch," let me suggest the Sony studio recording of OKLAHOMA! (She was seventeen when she made her Broadway debut in WISH YOU WERE HERE; she was eighteen when she recorded her "Laurey.") If this recording of SOUTH PACIFIC is successful, perhaps Sony/BMG will reissue THE GIRL WHO CAME TO SUPPER (1963) and Harold Rome's marvelous FANNY (1954). In that show Ms. Henderson stars with -- would you believe? -- Ezio Pinza.
Highly Recommended."
Short and Not So Sweet
J. Ellis | New York City | 09/20/2006
(2 out of 5 stars)
"My first big surprise was the Overture. It's the trucated overture used on the 1949 original cast recording, not the one used in the theatre and most subsequent recordings of "South Pacific." If you want a short stereo version of "South Pacific," this is the album for you. No dance break in "Bloody Mary," no chorus interlude in "Honey Bun," no reprises.
Florence Henderson uses two voices -- show and operetta -- and switches mid-song in a number of instances. It's jarring and doesn't work well in establishing the character of Nellie.
Bottom line: With so many other "South Pacifics" from which to choose, this "new" CD falls close to the bottom of the list. The Mary Martin/Ezio Pinza version, short but definitively sung, is the best. It's mono, sounds like it was recorded over 55 years ago, but is still magnificent and the recent remastering only adds to its majesty. The 2-CD JAY recording is the most complete and gloriously performed. The recent Carnegie Hall version has Brian Stokes Mitchell's epic "This Nearly Was Mime." The bottom of the list is reserved for the TV version with Glenn Close."
Something Different
Geoffrey D. Gordon | 01/04/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For many people they only think of Mary Martin or Mitzi Gaynor in "South Pacific" so this should be a new and enjoyable experience. I love getting different performers takes on roles that is why I purchase so many different recordings of the same title. This recording sounds remarkable with all the new technology they use to preserve these recordings. It was really great to listen to this because I have heard so much about this limited production so many years ago. I think Florence Henderson is a natural for Nellie Forbush, I think she is a very underrated stage performer and singer.So many people tend to just think of Ms.Henderson as that famous Mrs.Brady role. One shall be quite surprised. Another surprise on this was Giorgio Tozzi his operetic voice brings such depth and masculinity to his role as Emile, it is a perfect match for Ms.Henderson's in their duets. The rest of this cast sounds fine and it is one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's best scores. I think the best things about this recording is that this availability gives people more avenues to enjoy and explore this classic work."
You'll spend many an "enchanted evening" with this CD
Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 09/04/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The 1967 Music Theatre of Lincoln Center revival of SOUTH PACIFIC was a very successful production, completely overseen by Richard Rodgers himself, and with a handpicked cast. The main stars of the revival were Florence Henderson (fresh from her performance in "The Girl Who Came to Supper") as Ensign Nellie Forbush, and Giorgio Tozzi (who had previously dubbed for Rossano Brazzi in the film version) as Emile.
The entire album is flawless in terms of performances, Henderson particularly shines as Nellie with "A Wonderful Guy", "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" and "A Cockeyed Optimist". Tozzi's performance on this album does not vary greatly from his work on the film soundtrack, his silky and stridant voice is still perfectly suited to "Some Enchanted Evening".
Richard Rodgers had been grooming Florence Henderson for stardom; she had headlined a touring company of "Oklahoma!" (and appeared opposite Gordon MacRae in excerpts from the show for the General Foods TV tribute to Rodgers and Hammerstein); and had recorded the role of Laurey for a Columbia studio cast album in 1964. In 1961 she starred in the national tour of "The Sound of Music", and in 1965 played Mrs Anna in the Los Angeles Music Center's revival of "The King and I". Henderson's natural progression to the role of Nellie - in the closest SOUTH PACIFIC has ever come to a Broadway revival - was a big feather in her cap, and she is the main reason why this album is so enjoyable.
The stereo placements on the album are great, and there is a fantastic energy to the overall recording. A very welcome CD premiere from Sony/BMG."
Rare revival that meets all expectations.
Alan Montgomery | Oberlin, Oh USA | 01/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The original South Pacific is still the benchmark for this work. The soundtrack for the movie is fine, too, although I can't watch the movie - too many colored gels for my taste. This revival album includes slightly longer versions of the songs than the original cast album due to LP's advantage over 78s and 45s. The LP had just come in, and the industry didn't know how to handle the varying media. Of the Lincoln Center revivals, this was one of the best. Georgio Tozzi is just as phenominal as he was in the soundtrack. Florence Henderson, despite her TV credits, had a really great Broadway kind of voice - good belt with easy switch to head voice. She is fully the equal to Mary Martin and Mitzi Gaynor. It's nice to hear the extra verse sung by Liat, too. All in all, a first-rate, great-sounding release. (The original cast sound is good, but shows its age.)"
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1