The Alice Lind Play Reading Society will read the award winning Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific on Tuesday, July 9, 2013. The book was written by Oscar Hammerstein II & Joshua Logan and the music was composed by Richard Rodgers. The Lind House is located at 622 Center Street, New Ulm, MN. This play reading begins at 7:00 pm sharp.
The plot centers on an American nurse stationed on a South Pacific island during World War II who falls in love with a middle-aged expatriate French plantation owner but struggles to accept his mixed-race children. A secondary romance, between a U.S. lieutenant and a young Tonkinese woman, explores his fears of the social consequences should he marry his Asian sweetheart. The issue of racial prejudice is candidly explored throughout the musical, most controversially in the lieutenant’s song, “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught”. Supporting characters, including a comic petty officer and the Tonkinese girl’s mother, help to tie the stories together. Because he lacked military knowledge, Hammerstein had difficulty writing that part of the script; the director of the original production, Logan, assisted him and received credit as co-writer of the book.
The songs will not be sung in the Lind House play reading but the lyrics will be read.
Admission is $5.00. Reservations must be made as there are am extremely limited number of scripts available. Call (507) 359-9990 and leave a message that you plan to attend. Participants will only be called if there are no more spaces available. Refreshments will be served.
Volunteers will be asked to read parts throughout the evening. Depending on attendance, the leading roles may be read by several people for each act or scene. Persons attending do not have to read or may request smaller roles to read. Suggestions from the public for future plays are strongly encouraged. Contact Paul Warshauer at (507) 359-9990. The complete list for the rest of the year can be found at www.newulmact.com or a copy of the season will be sent via US mail if requested.
The Society meets on the Second Tuesday of each month and is dedicated to the idea that reading and listening to plays allows the participants to understand the words and themes of the author more clearly than in some performances. The series is named after the former Governor’s wife, Alice Lind, a supporter of social causes and literacy. To make reservations, please leave a name and phone number on the voice mail at the NUACT office phone (507) 359-9990 along with how many will be in your party. For more information about the play reading options, go to www.newulmact.com or contact Paul Warshauer (507) 359-9990. For more information about the Lind House, please contact Trudy Beranek at (507) 354-8802.