August 2010 Wisconsin Union Theater
Wisconsin Union Theater
SOUTH PACIFIC marked Four Seasons Theatre’s ninth production in the historic Wisconsin Union Theater.
Featuring Tony nominee Tom Wopat (Emile) and Verona native Alli Foss (Nellie) with a talented cast of local singers and our 30 piece orchestra, SOUTH PACIFIC was truly an enchanted weekend. Thank you to the 2,200+ community members who attended and to everyone who was involved in the production!
From 77 Square Review Whoa, Nellie! SOUTH PACIFIC stars dazzle: “Directed by Brian Cowing, this show sails with a fantastic chorus, strong supporting roles, a full orchestra and two excellent leads.”
Read the 77 Square article: Native Hawaiian Nan Asuncion brings unique perspective to her role in SOUTH PACIFIC production.
Read The Isthmus Review. Four Seasons Theatre and Tom Wopat revive an American classic with SOUTH PACIFIC.
“Four Seasons Theatre’s SOUTH PACIFIC includes five from Verona area.” Read the full article from the Verona Press.
“Wopat stars in SOUTH PACIFIC.” Read the full article in The Lodi Enterprise.
“In Revival, SOUTH PACIFIC still has lessons to teach.” Hear the full story on NPR.
Wisconsin Public Television has produced an incredible series called “Wisconsin Stories” which chronicles and captures the experiences of Wisconsin veterans. Watch video about the Pacific experience, hear firsthand accounts from veterans, and learn more.
Visit the FST Blog for background information on SOUTH PACIFIC and insights into this production.
The Wisconsin Veterans Museum is located on the Capitol Square and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 4:30 pm and Sunday from Noon to 4 pm. No admission fee. In addition to gallery hours they also offer an extensive calendar of guest speakers and special exhibits.
Learn more about the Badger Honor Flight program which helps raise money to help WWII veterans visit the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. The youngest WWII vets are now in their 80s. Between 900-1200 WWII vets die each day, and on many honor flights one or two seats sit empty because a veteran has passed away just days before the flight.
Four Seasons Theatre is pleased to welcome back Tony nominee and Wisconsin native Tom Wopat to Madison. In February 2008, Mr. Wopat starred as Ben in Four Season’s Theatre’s FOLLIES. Recently on Broadway in SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM, other Broadway credits include A CATERED AFFAIR (Tony nomination), ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (Tony nomination), 42nd STREET, GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, GUYS & DOLLS, CITY OF ANGELS, and I LOVE MY WIFE. A native of Lodi, WI Wopat is the rare renaissance performer adept at music, stage, and screen – a singer who can truly act and an actor who can truly sing. He studied music at the University of Wisconsin and began his acting career in productions of WEST SIDE STORY, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and SOUTH PACIFIC. Recent recording projects include “Dissertation on the State of Bliss,” a Harold Arlen tribute album, and “Consider it Swung.” The Tommy Awards, developed to honor Wisconsin high school musical theatre productions and performers, are named after Mr. Wopat.
Starring as Nellie Forbush is Alli Foss, a graduate of Verona Area High School and the prestigous musical theatre program at University of Michigan. Ms. Foss was most recently seen in a TOGETHER AGAIN, THIS TIME, an NYU thesis project and in the Las Vegas company of MAMMA MIA in the ensemble covering Sophie and Ali. In 2008 Alli was featured as part of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra’s Concerts on the Square and in 2009 she was a soloist at the UW Varsity Band Spring Concert.
Other principals include Jordan Peterson as Lt. Cable, Lee Waldhart as Luther Billis, and Nan Asuncion as Bloody Mary. Download the complete Cast List.
Special Lecture – World War II: The Pacific
Sunday, August 15 at 2:00 pm
Wisconsin Veterans Museum (30 W. Mifflin on the Capitol Square, Madison)
Jeff Kollath, Curator of Programs and Exhibitions and Jennifer Kaye, Senior Education Specialist, both from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, and Tim Hamilton, UW-Madison Theatre Research Program. Hamilton provided an introduction to our afternoon special lecture with history of the musical SOUTH PACIFIC and an overview of daily life in the Pacific Rim during WWII. Kollath and Kaye shared treasures from the collection of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum from the Pacific Theater including Japanese items, uniforms, souvenirs, everyday equipment used by American soldiers, and much more.
Support for this production was provided by The Edgewater Hotel, Alliant Energy Foundation, Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission, Madison Arts Commission, and Wisconsin Arts Board.