“South Pacific” is an old favorite but Sandie Hawthorne decided to direct the musical with a new leading man in The Villages.
Hawthorne announced the cast this week for the Rodgers and Hammerstein World War II show that will be presented next March in Savannah Center. Richard Barth landed the starring role of Emile and it’s his first lead role for The Villages Musical Theater company.
“He looked like what I wanted Emile to look like,” Hawthorne said. “He can sing and act. Since being cast, he has become Emile–his character, his French accent, his movement, his thoughts.”
Barth is thrilled with the part.
“To land this role is an honor, especially in light of all the talent here in The Villages,” said Barth, who has more than a half-century of experience as a professional musician. He and his wife, Melissa, spent most of their lives in Cleveland and moved here about five years ago from Indiana.
Among the other major roles in a cast of about 50: Laura “Dellie” Saxe as Nellie; Carter Poust as Lt. Joe Cable; Dave Saxe as Billis’ Brynn Neal, Bloody Mary, and Yuri Sohn as Liat.
“South Pacific” will feature a 22-member orchestra, conducted by Jean Butler. Helene Yelverton is the choreographer and Ed Slivken, assistant director and stage manager.
The cast is sprinkled with new faces.
“There is a lot of new talent showing up in The Villages, so I am thrilled,” Hawthorne said. “I am really happy to cast new and multi-talented actors and singers, and let them use their wings to heights that others have already experienced.”
Here is a complete cast list of the other performers:
Tony Oteri, Larry Wilson and Ed Griggs.
Female dancers and singers:
Susan Bartlett
Michele Blubaugh
Jill Brewer
Sue Burton
Kathy Chesley Williams
Donna Cipollone
Lynn Damask
Donna Evans
Donna Francis
Judy Jonas
Jeanne Krebs
Cathye Leshay
Bobbi Steele Marotta
Jill Marrese
Kristin Miller
Judy Pluta
Carol Putrelo
Ann Stockton
Rosie Theiss
Glenda Wolff
Male singers and dancers:
Richard Blanchard
David Bradley
Bob Brandoni
Gary Chubeck
Goodie Doust
Chip Fuller
Phip Fuller
Bruce Greenberger
Ed Griggs
Gary Kress
Bill Krone
David Kuntz
John Muller
Vic Marsich
Mark McCandless
Dave Newell
Bob Petrucelli
George Pieper
Gerry Sherman
Larry Wilson
Paul Young
