"South Pacific" Shows Its Age, But Is Still An Enchanted Evening
America was a different place in 1949 when Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific made its debut. World War II was still fresh in the minds of audiences but Oscar Hammerstein II, who wrote the lyrics and the libretto for the musical, wanted to send a strong, progressive message on racism in America, especially with regard to miscegenation. Despite Hammerstein's best …