South Pacific

Paradise Rewritten

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Music, Music Styles, Musicals, Performing Arts, Theatre, History & Criticism
Cover of the book South Pacific by Jim Lovensheimer, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jim Lovensheimer ISBN: 9780199779703
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: August 25, 2010
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Jim Lovensheimer
ISBN: 9780199779703
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: August 25, 2010
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical "South Pacific" has remained a mainstay of the American musical theater since it opened in 1949, and its powerful message about racial intolerance continues to resonate with twenty-first century audiences. Drawing on extensive research in the Rodgers and the Hammerstein papers, including Hammerstein's personal notes on James A. Michener's Tales of the South Pacific, Jim Lovensheimer offers a fascinating reading of "South Pacific" that explores the show's complex messages and demonstrates how the presentation of those messages changed throughout the creative process. Indeed, the author shows how Rodgers and especially Hammerstein continually refined and softened the theme of racial intolerance until it was more acceptable to mainstream Broadway audiences. Likewise, Lovensheimer describes the treatment of gender and colonialism in the musical, tracing how it both reflected and challenged early Cold War Era American norms. The book also offers valuable background to the writing of "South Pacific," exploring the earlier careers of both Rodgers and Hammerstein, showing how they frequently explored serious social issues in their other works, and discussing their involvement in the political movements of their day, such as Hammerstein's founding membership in the Hollywood Anti-Nazi League. Finally, the book features many wonderful appendices, including two that compare the original draft and final form of the classic songs "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out-a My Hair" and "I'm In Love With a Wonderful Guy." Thoroughly researched and compellingly written, this superb book offers a rich, intriguing portrait of a Broadway masterpiece and the era in which it was created.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical "South Pacific" has remained a mainstay of the American musical theater since it opened in 1949, and its powerful message about racial intolerance continues to resonate with twenty-first century audiences. Drawing on extensive research in the Rodgers and the Hammerstein papers, including Hammerstein's personal notes on James A. Michener's Tales of the South Pacific, Jim Lovensheimer offers a fascinating reading of "South Pacific" that explores the show's complex messages and demonstrates how the presentation of those messages changed throughout the creative process. Indeed, the author shows how Rodgers and especially Hammerstein continually refined and softened the theme of racial intolerance until it was more acceptable to mainstream Broadway audiences. Likewise, Lovensheimer describes the treatment of gender and colonialism in the musical, tracing how it both reflected and challenged early Cold War Era American norms. The book also offers valuable background to the writing of "South Pacific," exploring the earlier careers of both Rodgers and Hammerstein, showing how they frequently explored serious social issues in their other works, and discussing their involvement in the political movements of their day, such as Hammerstein's founding membership in the Hollywood Anti-Nazi League. Finally, the book features many wonderful appendices, including two that compare the original draft and final form of the classic songs "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out-a My Hair" and "I'm In Love With a Wonderful Guy." Thoroughly researched and compellingly written, this superb book offers a rich, intriguing portrait of a Broadway masterpiece and the era in which it was created.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Infancy to Early Childhood by Jim Lovensheimer
Cover of the book Women and Elective Office by Jim Lovensheimer
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Japanese Linguistics by Jim Lovensheimer
Cover of the book Global Organizations by Jim Lovensheimer
Cover of the book Know Your Enemy by Jim Lovensheimer
Cover of the book The Islamic Threat by Jim Lovensheimer
Cover of the book Kennedy's Wars : Berlin Cuba Laos and Vietnam by Jim Lovensheimer
Cover of the book Silent Scourge by Jim Lovensheimer
Cover of the book Oxford American Handbook of Hospice and Palliative Medicine by Jim Lovensheimer
Cover of the book Abolition of Slavery: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Jim Lovensheimer
Cover of the book Making Markets Work for Africa by Jim Lovensheimer
Cover of the book The Federal Reserve by Jim Lovensheimer
Cover of the book Jurisdictional Immunities of States and International Organizations by Jim Lovensheimer
Cover of the book Islamophobia by Jim Lovensheimer
Cover of the book Wonders of Numbers by Jim Lovensheimer
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy