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:
Emile de Becque, a wealthy middle-aged French planter; very passionate.
Song Context:
Emile reminisces on the night he met Nellie at an officers? club dance, happy that something like that could happen in the midst of a bloody war.
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. Ezio Pinza came to the original cast of South Pacific almost accidentally when an opera gig fell through. Composer Richard Rodgers thought that the handsome and mature singer would be a good fit for the character.
3. Pinza and Paul Szot, who played Emile in the 2008 revival of South Pacific, both won Tony Awards for their performances.
"Some enchanted evening,
You may see a stranger,
you may see a stranger,
Across a crowded room
And somehow you know,
You know even then
That somewhere you'll see her
Again and again.
Some enchanted evening,
Someone may be laughing,
You may hear her laughing
Across a crowded room
And night after night,
As strange as it seems
The sound of her laughter
Will sing in your dreams.
Who can explain it?
Who can tell you why?
Fools give you reasons,
Wise men never try.
Some enchanted evening,
When you find your true love,
When you feel her call you
Across a crowded room,
Then fly to her side,
And make her your own
Or all through your life you
May dream all alone.
Once you have found her,
Never let her go.
Once you have found her,
Never let her go!"