Praise for The Cleveland Orchestra and BW Music Theatre's 'South Pacific: In Concert'

Backstage at "South Pacific," left to right, Andy Einhorn, Ryan Silverman, Loretta Ables Sayre, Victoria Bussert, Hanako Walrath, Elliot Madore, Kailey Boyle and Gordia Hayes.

The result drew high praise from fans, The Plain Dealer/cleveland.com, COOL Cleveland and Broadway World, including a call for the collaboration to continue.

The August 24 in-concert stage presentation of the beloved Rodgers and Hammerstein classic was conducted by Broadway's Andy Einhorn, while the cast was directed by BW Music Theatre Director Victoria Bussert.

Exceptional treat

BW student Gordia Hayes (left) performs with professionals Ryan Silverman and Loretta Ables Sayre in "South Pacific: In Concert." (Photo courtesy Roger Mastroianni)

The students in BW's nationally acclaimed music theatre program may be "Younger Than Springtime," but they showed off more than enough talent to fill three lead roles, plus the entire ensemble of nurses and sailors.

One review called Kailey Boyle '21 "a flat-out joy to behold as Nellie Forbush, every bit the equal of Elliot Madore, the professional baritone who sang Emile de Becque."

Gordia Hayes '20, who "garnered big laughs" as Luther Billis, performed "with abundant energy and panache," tangling with Tony Award-nominee Loretta Ables Sayre as Bloody Mary. While Hanako Walrath '23, appearing in the more serious role of Liat, "touchingly [relying] on gestures and dance to convey her feelings" as the love interest of Broadway singer Ryan Silverman as Lt. Cable.

Dream collaboration

A tender moment in South Pacific between Kailey Boyle as Nellie Forbush and Elliot Madore as Emile de Becque.

"Even on Broadway, you don't get orchestras of this size or this world-renowned," Bussert told Cleveland Classical in another preview.

Reality did not disappoint. "It was so much more than any of us could have anticipated," Bussert said after the show. "It was truly a magical experience."

"South Pacific," with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, was originally adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "Tales of the South Pacific" by James A. Michener. The concert adaptation was created by David Ives for the Carnegie Hall benefit concert of "South Pacific" in 2006.

Next up at BW: a "Kinky Boots" first

BW Music Theatre will move from this momentous collaboration into preparations for another groundbreaking performance, as BW becomes the first college in the nation to present the Tony-winning "Kinky Boots" this November.

Tickets go on sale at bw.edu/tickets on September 12.