South Pacific Synopsis
ACT I
On a tropical South Pacific island during World War II, wide-eyed US Navy nurse and Arkansas native Nellie Forbush falls in love with wealthy French plantation owner Emile De Becque. The two meet and become instantly besotted on”Some Enchanted Evening” and before Nellie leaves Emile asks for her hand in marriage. Nellie realizes that she knows absolutely nothing about him and breaks off the union stating “I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Outta My Hair”.
I Crushed about his loss and determined to gain Nellie’s trust, Emile invites Nellie to an officer’s dinner. It is then that Nellie realizes that she loves Emile and proclaims him “A Wonderful Guy.” She is, however, torn between her Arkansas roots and her emotions for Emile when she learns that he is a widower and father of two Polynesian children. She eventually lets her roots get the best of her and refuses to marry Emile.
In the meantime, Seabee Luther Billis’ division of seaman long for female attention on the South Pacific Island. They admit that although they have everything they could want “There is Nothing like a Dame”. They are so desperate they find themselves dreaming of Bloody Mary. Bloody Mary, a middle aged Tonkinese woman and South Pacific native, is notorious for her beauty and is the topic of conversation among American sailors starved for affection. Billis and his men yearn to relocate to the island if Bali Ha’I, an island full of Polynesian temptations declared off limits to American soldiers.
Marine Corps Lt. Joseph Cable travels to the South Pacific Island on a spy mission to influence the war in Japan. He finds himself distracted as Bloody Mary convinces the lieutenant to travel to Bali Ha’I. As planned, Lt. Cable meets and falls in love with Liat, Bloody Mary’s daughter, and declares her beautiful (“Younger than Springtime”).
ACT II
While in Bali Ha’I, Bloody Mary hopes that Lt. Cable and Liat marry and talk “Happy Talk.” Lt. Cable, like Nellie, finds that he cannot go through with marriage due to the prejudices instilled in him; he cannot marry a Tonkinese girl. Trying to understand Nellie Emile asks Lt. Cable why he and Nellie have prejudices against people they love. Lt. Cable explains that it isn’t present at birth its something “You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught”. Emile accepts his fate and mourns in reflection during “This Nearly was Mine.”
Disheartened Emile joins Lt. Cable in “Operation Alligator,” a spy mission to gather information to destroy Japanese convoys. Along with Luther Billis’ division the men successfully intercept Japanese communication at the cost of Lt. Cable’s life. Narrowly escaping death, Emile returns home to find his children have adopted a new mother, Nellie Forbush.
