Show Synopsis:
Ensign Nellie Forbush, a nurse, and Emile de Becque, a plantation owner, have fallen in love on an island in the South Pacific during World War II and become engaged. Nellie discovers that Emile's two children are half-Polynesian and breaks off the engagement, despite Emile's pleadings. Emile goes on a mission to report on Japanese ship movements and goes missing. Nellie comes to know and love his children, despite her racial prejudice, and when Emile returns, they are ready to start life as a family.

Character:
Lieutenant Joseph Cable, an extremely intelligent, well-educated, and handsome young man; stubborn and forceful.

Song Context:
Bloody Mary introduces her daughter Liat to Lieutenant Cable because she believes a nice and wealthy French man is the key to her daughter's future, and Cable begins to fall in love with her almost immediately. As they begin their romance, Cable is astonished that he has found himself in this position with a girl so young.	

Fun Facts:
1) This musical was based on a series of short stories called Tales of the South Pacific by James Michener, which won a Pulitzer Prize in 1947. 
2) William Tabbert originated the role of Lieutenant Cable on Broadway. 
3) This song originated when Richard Rodgers picked up a melody that he had composed for Allegro and then set aside, and Oscar Hammerstein began to write the lyrics. Ironically, this song replaced one titled "Suddenly Lovely" which later went into Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I as "Getting To Know You."