Greencastle native in star role of 'South Pacific'

Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Emile de Becque and Nellie Forbush (Michael Moyer, Indianapolis and Jodi Wingler, Danville and formerly of Greencastle) each contemplate their unspoken thoughts in Myers Dinner Theatre's production of "South Pacific" open now and running through Oct. 18.

Myers Dinner Theatre, located in Hillsboro, Ind., started the powerful Rodgers & Hammerstein classic "South Pacific" on Friday, Sept. 19 and will continue performance on weekends through Oct. 18.

There will be evening performances on Fridays and Saturdays and matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. There are also three special weekday Wednesday matinees on Sept. 24, Oct. 1 and 15.

The musical is adapted from the Pulitzer Prize winning novel "Tales of the South Pacific" by James A. Michener. With a book adapted by Oscar Hammerstein II and Joshua Logan, and a musical score by Richard Rodgers, the story takes place during World War II on two different islands in the Pacific. Ensign Nellie Forbush, a na*ve nurse from Arkansas, has fallen in love with Emile de Becque, a French plantation owner with a mysterious past.

The original Pulitzer Prize winning production of "South Pacific" was directed by Joshua Logan and played for 1,925 performances on Broadway at the Majestic and Broadway Theatres starring Ezio Pinza, Mary Martin, Juanita Hall and William Tabbert. The production won ten Tony awards and ran for over five years. It played for two years in London, with Martin and Wilbur Evans in the leads. Also in the chorus were Martin's son, Larry Hagman, and a young Sean Connery.

Director Michael Moyer, Indianapolis, has assembled a wonderful cast for the Myers Dinner Theatre production. Danville actress and Greencastle native, Jodi Green Wingler stars as Ensign Nellie Forbush. Jodi was previously seen at MDT as Ado Annie in February's production of Oklahoma! Jodi also recently performed in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Hendricks Civic Theatre and Tales of Hoffman with the Indianapolis Opera.

This coming January, she will be performing in La Fille du Regiment with The Steele Project in Indianapolis.

She is also a soprano with the Hendricks Symphonic Choir.

Tickets for "South Pacific" can be reserved by calling the Myers Dinner Theatre office at 765-798-4902, ext. 2.

Cost is $36 for dinner and show, including tax. Dinner for the evening shows begins at 6:30 p.m., for the weekday and Saturday matinees at noon and for the Sunday matinees at 1 p.m.

For more information visit the MDT website at www.myersdt.com.

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