When the lights go up at the Holland Theatre Thursday night, they will spotlight the theater’s first big musical production in four years. Due to the timing of major renovations followed by covid lockdowns, this kind of theatrical experience has been a long time coming.
And dozens of talented local actors, artists, musicians and crew are determined to make it worth the wait when they present South Pacific this weekend.
A classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, South Pacific tells the story of Ensign Nellie Forbush, who falls in love with middle-aged expatriate French plantation owner Emile de Bacque.
The plot, based on Tales of the South Pacific, a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by James A. Michener, openly explores issues of racial prejudice—not just in Nellie’s struggle accepting Emile’s mixed-race children, but also in the secondary romance between U.S. Marine Lieutenant Joseph Cable and a young Tonkinese woman named Liat.
“Even though this is a show set in World War II, the scenes are still applicable today as prejudice is a big theme,” Director Jean Minnick, a Bellefontaine High School English teacher, said. “When we think of the obstacles to love, we realize love is more important than things like race.”
The large cast includes a mix professionals and amateurs. David Schneider, a Bellefontaine High School graduate who now lives in Lima, said playing Emile has been his dream role. He has fond memories of attending movies at the Holland when he was young.
Though Krista Blakely, who plays Nellie, is an accomplished singer, she’s relatively new to the stage.
“Even without experience,” Minnick said, “she’s doing a great job.”
The production also includes two Logan County music teachers—Kirsten Fortier, who plays Bloody Mary, teaches at Calvary Christian School, while Brian Timpe (Lieutenant Cable), who works at Bellefontaine Elementary.
Timpe has taken the Holland stage several times, notably as Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the theater’s last major musical in 2018.
For Fortier, though, this is her first performance with Windmill Productions. “The actors, backstage crew, orchestra and everyone involved are fantastic and make the show spectacular,” she said. “It’s a must-see.”
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 16-18. Tickets can be purchased online at thehollandtheatre.org or at the box office, which will be open Thursday and Friday from 1 to 5 p.m.