Fountain Hill Theater's production of South Pacific opened last weekend. Karissa Anderson-Self who plays Nellie, Alex Gonzalez who plays Emile, Dawn LeSueur who portrays Bloody Mary, Chris Fidler who plays Joe Cable and Matt McDonald who plays Billis, all sat down to answer some questions about the show, the important social messages that Rodgers and Hammerstein tackle in it as well as their experiences and thoughts of working at Fountain Hills, exclusively for PHX Stages:
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| Karissa Anderson-Self and Alex Gonzalez |
Karissa Anderson-Self
Tell us a little about the character you play in the show.
I play Nellie. She is so full of energy and enthusiasm. I love her positive outlook on the world. She is very young and perhaps has a little growing up to do over the course of the show. In the end she chooses love and I applaud her for that.
Have you ever played a part in a production of South Pacific before? Have you ever played this part before?
This is my third time doing South Pacific. In high school I played the role of Nellie and just last year at The Palm's Theatre I played Ensign Cora Macrae.
What is your favorite moment in South Pacific that you are a part of?
My favorite moment in the show that I am a part of is when I pull Billis on stage during "Honey Bun". I LOVE the crowd's reaction every night to seeing him in his coconut bra and lipstick, it's my absolute favorite.
What is your favorite moment of the show that you are not a part of?
Anything with Bloody Mary. She is such a complex character and Dawn does such a brilliant job. I wish we had more scenes together!
Rodgers and Hammerstein wisely incorporated social issues into most of their shows, including tackling the issue of racial prejudice in South Pacific - an issue still very relevant today. What do you hope audiences will take away from the show?
The song "Carefully Taught" is a powerful one and I think it hits people hard. We are not born hating people who are different from us, hate is something we learn from others. I hope audiences leave with a little more love in their hearts and acceptance for those who look or act different from themselves.
South Pacific is a classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical with a vast number of well known songs. Do you have a favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein song and is there any particular reason why it’s your favorite?
I've always loved "In my own Little Corner" from Cinderella. That musical was a huge part of my childhood and that song just made me feel like I could conquer anything that came my way.
The theatre at Fountain Hills is extremely intimate, what other things makes Fountain Hills Theater unique when compared to the other companies in town?
I love how welcome they make the audience feel. Every show I've seen here so far they've done something really special that sets them a part from other theaters.
What has your experience been like working at Fountain Hills and in this production?
There's such an ease to fitting in here. This is my first show at this theater and I already feel like these wonderful people are my family. It has been an incredible experience.
What other shows might we see you coming up in?
Coming up, I'm going to be performing in Fruitcake Follies at The Lunch Time Theater at The Herberger, but hopefully I'll be back at Fountain Hills soon!
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| Alex Gonzalez and Karissa Anderson-Self |
Tell us a little about the character you play in the show.
He is a middle aged Frenchman who has fled his country and has created a new life in the deep south pacific as a successful plantation owner.
What if any type of research did you do for your role?
A few years ago I auditioned for Emile at another theater. The publicity manager at Fountain Hills speaks fluent French along with her husband. I asked her husband to record the dialog in the first scene so I could get used to hearing the French accent with English dialogue in my head. I kept the recording and used it for this part. As far as learning about any characters in South Pacific, this is my fourth production of the show and I learned many years ago about the creation and use of the SeeBees (C.B. initials standing for Construction Battalion) when I was a SeeBee, how to salute correctly as a Marine by an actual Marine who was in WWII and went to the library to read about French Planters in the So. Pacific (before there was internet).
Have you ever played a part in a production of South Pacific before? Have you ever played this part before?
I've never played Emile before but I have been a Seebee twice and I did play Lt. Cable 16 years ago right here at Fountain Hills.
What is your favorite moment in South Pacific that you are a part of?
The scenes leading up to the moment Emile decides to go with Lt Cable oh his dangerous mission.
What is your favorite moment of the show that you are not a part of?
In our production. we are honoring all the military in the audience during the show. it has been incredible to see the number of veterans stand during that moment of the show.
Rodgers and Hammerstein wisely incorporated social issues into most of their shows, including tackling the issue of racial prejudice in South Pacific - an issue still very relevant today. What do you hope audiences will take away from the show?
The recognition of the racial issues time during WWII bringing to mind the racial issues we face today. The similarities and the differences and how we are dealing with them today.
South Pacific is a classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical with a vast number of well known songs. Do you have a favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein song and is there any particular reason why it’s your favorite?
I have two. "Soliloquy" from Carousel, a challenging song, seven minutes in its entirety with a big finish. The second was the first song sung by the Prince in the 1964 version of R&H's Cinderella starring Leslie Ann Warren and Stuart Damon called "The Loneliness of Evening." It was originally written for Emile in South Pacific but was cut from the production then added to the TV production of Cinderella. Stuart Damon actually sings it in a higher key as the Prince so I had the original score transposed so I can sing it in both keys. I use "Soliloquy" and "Loneliness of Evening" (in both keys) for auditions.
The theatre at Fountain Hills is extremely intimate, what other things makes Fountain Hills Theater unique when compared to the other companies in town?
This like many other shows I've done here, I'm enjoying the moments I get to stand down front, center stage and sing as big or as soft as I want with out the aid of a body mic.
What has your experience been like working at Fountain Hills and in this production?
This is the beginning of my 25th season with FHT. so I am very comfortable performing on both stages here. With South Pacific I get the chance to perform a "Big" part again like I have several times here in the past. the older I get that chance is not available to me as often any more.
What other shows might we see you coming up in?
I'm anxious to see myself.
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| Dawn LeSueur and the cast |
Dawn LeSueur
Tell us a little about the character you play in the show.
Bloody Mary is a Pacific Islander who trades her wares with U.S. sailors who are stationed on the islands. She is learning English from the sailors and quite often offers her opinion in very colorful language. She is always trying to sell her products, but when it comes to her daughter she fervently tries to hook her up with an American G.I to provide a better life for her.
What if any type of research did you do for your role?
Real life experiences helped in my getting into the character. South Pacific tells the tale of prejudice and being half-Japanese, half white I have unfortunately felt the sting of being the product of a mixed marriage.
Have you ever played a part in a production of South Pacific before? Have you ever played this part before?
I have played both Liat and Bloody Mary in other productions.
What is your favorite moment in South Pacific that you are a part of?
The “Bloody Mary” song. I love interacting with the sailors!
What is your favorite moment of the show that you are not a part of?
I love to stand offstage and listen to Lt. Cable sing “Younger than Springtime”. I wish someone would sing a beautiful song like that to me!
Rodgers and Hammerstein wisely incorporated social issues into most of their shows, including tackling the issue of racial prejudice in South Pacific - an issue still very relevant today. What do you hope audiences will take away from the show?
That we are human beings first and foremost. War is terrible in and of itself, but we all have loved ones and goals and dreams, and that is what we should care about in others…not the color of their skin.
South Pacific is a classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical with a vast number of well known songs. Do you have a favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein song and is there any particular reason why it’s your favorite?
My favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein song is from Carousel and it’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone” I love the message that there is always hope, you just need to just keep going!
The theatre at Fountain Hills is extremely intimate, what other things makes Fountain Hills Theater unique when compared to the other companies in town?
The people who run it! They are lovely, caring people that really care about their actors.
What has your experience been like working at Fountain Hills and in this production?
Fabulous!!! This is my 6th production for FHT and it is always a great experience!
What other shows might we see you coming up in?
I teach school and I have performance that I need to get my kiddos ready for…so I think I will be taking a much needed break from the stage!
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| Chelsea Umeda and Chris Fidler |
Tell us a little about the character you play in the show.
I play Joseph Cable. A young lieutenant from Philadelphia sent to the island as part of a secret mission to help turn the tide of war in the Allies favor in the South Pacific.
What if any type of research did you do for your role?
In preparation for this role I read “Tales of the South Pacific” by James A. Michener, watched various performances of South Pacific, and worked with a professional coach. As a romantic lead Cable has been, historically, played as a little two dimensional. I wanted to find the meat of the character; the many layers that such a man would have and bring it to the stage.
Have you ever played a part in a production of South Pacific before? Have you ever played this part before?
No, this will be my first time performing in South Pacific.
What is your favorite moment in South Pacific that you are a part of?
It is the scene in which Cable is faced with his own “carefully taught” prejudice when he realizes that he cannot marry Liat. In that one scene his world comes crashing down around him as his upbringing prevents him from being with the woman he loves.
What is your favorite moment of the show that you are not a part of?
There are several moments in this show that I enjoy as it is a truly wonderful story. However, if one had to be singled out, I suppose it would have to be the follies scene. Far away from home, and on the edge of war, these disparate people still manage to cobble together a show to help forget, if only for a short time, the war that looms over everything.
Rodgers and Hammerstein wisely incorporated social issues into most of their shows, including tackling the issue of racial prejudice in South Pacific - an issue still very relevant today. What do you hope audiences will take away from the show?
I want the audience to come away feeling entertained but, mostly, to understand that racism is a ridiculous concept that is out of place in any society.
South Pacific is a classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical with a vast number of well known songs. Do you have a favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein song and is there any particular reason why it’s your favorite?
It would have to be “Younger Than Springtime.” It is a beautifully written song whose exuberant proclamation of love is made bittersweet in light of how Cable’s story ends.
The theatre at Fountain Hills is extremely intimate, what other things makes Fountain Hills Theater unique when compared to the other companies in town?
It has a lot to do with the wonderful staff. From the box office to the stage management, I cannot think of another group as hard working as the crew at Fountain Hills Theater. Not to mention the artistic direction of Peter Hill. His comedic and dramatic interpretation of this show is insightful. I enjoyed watching him bring this show to life.
What has your experience been like working at Fountain Hills and in this production?
Nothing but fun. This cast is incredibly talented. It is a joy to share the stage with them.
What other shows might we see you coming up in?
At this time, I have no current plans for future shows.
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| Matt McDonald |
Tell us a little about the character you play in the show.
Luther Billis is trying to make the best of a terrible situation. He is a Seabee in the US Navy and has been assigned to this island in the South Pacific. He is a con man, business man who is always trying to make a buck or find the angle. He also has a big heart, because he cares deeply for Nellie Forebush.
What if any type of research did you do for your role?
I looked at some videos out on Youtube. I loved the way Ray Walston played the part in the original movie. I took elements of his performance and mixed them in with my style.
Have you ever played a part in a production of South Pacific before? Have you ever played this part before?
Ha!. Yes. My sister and I played the two young children a million years ago for a hgh school production. Never played Billis before.
What is your favorite moment in South Pacific that you are a part of?
I love my scene with Captain Bracket and the Commander. We have a lot of fun with it.
What is your favorite moment of the show that you are not a part of?
The scene with the song "Bloody Mary." Such a great song.
Rodgers and Hammerstein wisely incorporated social issues into most of their shows, including tackling the issue of racial prejudice in South Pacific - an issue still very relevant today. What do you hope audiences will take away from the show?
As corny as it sounds, just love who you love. Don't get tangled up in the way they look or where they may come from.
South Pacific is a classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical with a vast number of well known songs. Do you have a favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein song and is there any particular reason why it’s your favorite?
"Poor Jud is Dead" from Oklahoma. Obviously, it sounds like a terribly depressing song, but done the right way is actually fairly humorous. Besides, I played Jud in Oklahoma several years ago at Fountain Hills and really enjoyed the part. Alex Gonzalez and Chris Fidler were also in that one with me.
The theatre at Fountain Hills is extremely intimate, what other things makes Fountain Hills Theater unique when compared to the other companies in town?
The main reason I keep coming back to FH is the sense of family you get. They are such a great group of people. I have met some of my best friends through the FH theater. Plus, FH is about 15 minutes from where I live. Also a plus!!
What has your experience been like working at Fountain Hills and in this production?
Always positive experiences. I love this place. My last two productions have been even better. My wife have been in them together. We were able to perform onstage together in Young Frankenstein and again in this production of South Pacific.
What other shows might we see you coming up in?
I am planning to audition for A Christmas Carol at Fountain Hills. Fingers crossed.
for more information on this production, that runs through September 20th, CLICK HERE
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