Amazon.com: From the second the majestic overture of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1949 show starts, you know you're in for a treat: In this age of diminished Broadway pits, hearing the 45-piece Orchestra of St. Luke's firing on all cylinders is just thrilling. And that's only the beginning of the fun in this most traditional, most delightful musical, recorded live at Carnegie Hall in June 2005. As Nellie Forbush, Reba McEntire deploys a homespun Southern charm that works marvels against the urbane Emile de Becque, i.e., Brian Stokes Mitchell and his impossibly buttery baritone (check out his rendition of "Some Enchanted Evening"). Of course we shouldn't be surprised, since country star Reba had turned out to be musical-theater star Reba when she replaced Bernadette Peters in Annie Get Your Gun on Broadway. Here, she brightly delivers classics (yes, the show is packed with them) like "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" and "A Wonderful Guy." And let's not forget Lillias White, chewing the scenery in spectacular fashion as Bloody Mary ("Bali Ha'i," "Happy Talk"--what was that about the show being packed with memorable tunes again?). When the classic American musical is done with such gusto, it's hard not to be won over. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Over the top South Pacific.
This concert version of the broadway show is awesome in many respects. The pairing of Reba McEntire and Brian Stokes Mitchell at first seemed so "strange/different" It could not have been a better combination. They were "in" character throughout - not easy in a concert performance. The chorus numbers were outstanding and Alec Baldwin was, well, he was just a hoot!
Finally Brian Stokes Mitchell's rendition of "This Nearly Was Mine" is probably the best, most heartfelt that I have ever heard.
Rating: - Thank You
I was so surprised to see that you had this CD available. I had lost the one I had and could not find another one anywhere. Thank you so much.
Rating: - Mostly great
I had great expectations for this CD... most of them were met, but I was vastly disappointed with one of the principal singers: Reba McIntyre. I know she is a great comedic actress and a true star in the world of country music. But from the very first song she sings - and nearly everyone thereafter - her country stylings just struck me as WRONG for this part. She tends to "scoop" up to her notes - over and over. Again, that may be OK for country music, but not Rogers & Hammerstein... even if the role is supposed to be a young gal from the "country" (i.e. not a big city). Again, she is great ... Read More
Rating: - South Pacific CD
After seeing this concert performance on PBS recently, we quickly ordered the CD. Super! Great quality and wonderful voices and acting, even if one couldn't see them!
Rating: - Wow!
Let's get to the point here. With all due respects to the legendary Mary Martin, Ezio Pinza, and all the others who have essayed the lead roles in this great show, this is, quite simply, the finest recording of R&H's "South Pacific".
Brian Stokes Mitchell is a proven commodity on the Broadway stage these days. He is a force of nature that seems to sweep away all before him. The part of Emile was originally written for Ezio Pinza, then nearing the end of a remarkable career on the operatic stage. Magnificent though he is said to have been in this role, it simply must be said that ... Read More
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