South Pacific (1996 Studio Cast) (First Complete Recording)
TheRodgers and Hammersteinshow that went the longest (almost 60 years) before getting a major Broadway revival,South Pacificreceives its first complete recording, capturing 107 minutes of classic songs as well as reprises and underscored dialogue. Given the thankless task of succeeding Mary Martin of theoriginal Broadway castis the wonderfulPaige O'Hara(Disney'sBeauty and the Beast, John McGlinn'sShow Boat), full of sass and spunk as Nellie Forbush. Although this Emile De Becque, Justino Diaz, isn't actually a Frenchman (but hey, neither was Ezio Pinza), his accent is only a faint distraction from his rich voice. Filling out the cast are tenorSean McDermottas Lt. Joe Cable andPat Suzuki(Flower Drum Song) as Bloody Mary. It's a very good recording, and an easy choice for anyone who wants the complete score. The only drawback is that, unlike otherJAY Masterworks Editions, this one doesn't include extra songs, such as "My Girl Back Home," a song cut from the original production but restored for the1958 film.--David Horiuchi