Get ready to set sail with LVHS actors and actresses tonight in this year’s musical, South Pacific. This production, starring juniors Tyler Crumrine and Kerry Mullen, will transport audiences to the South Pacific Islands during World War II with dancing nurses, lots of French, and a love story to end all love stories.

Along with Tyler and Kerry, freshman Emily Pompelia plays the role of the island girl Liat, and junior Bethanne Lenhart plays her mother, Blood Mary. Other supporting roles are Lt. Joe Cable, played by junior Matt Emery; Luther Billis, played by junior Ben Nemeth, and Dinah, played by senior Krystyne Clark. The cast has 25 students who were chosen by director Mr. John Gregorich, music director Mr. Michael Busija, and LVHS music teacher Ms. Shasta Wozny.

“I chose South Pacific because of the great music that would fit the talent we have at Ligonier,” said Mr. Gregorich.

Senior Paul Bench plays Commander William Harbison in South Pacific.

“To put it simply, he is the man,” Paul said.

Nellie Forbush (Mullen) is a beautiful, young nurse who finds love in the arms of local plantation owner Emile de Becque (Crumrine). However, Emile’s past is less than innocent, and Nellie soon finds that her beau is not as perfect as he seems. While Nellie is falling in love with Emile, the other soldiers are complaining about the lack of women on the island, singing songs like “There is Nothing like a Dame” to cheer themselves up.

Soon Lt. Cable (Emery) is sent to the island to complete a dangerous mission that will help the United States win the war. While on the island he is introduced to a local souvenir dealer named Bloody Mary (Lenhart), who then introduces Lt. Cable to her young daughter Liat (Pompelia). Lt. Cable and Liat fall in love, but when he refuses to marry the girl, Bloody Mary takes her away to marry someone else.

After being spurned by Nellie, Emile and the heart-broken Lt. Cable decide to go on a dangerous mission to the island of Bali Ha’i. But after Emile leaves, Nellie realizes she is falling in love with him again and anxiously waits for his return with his two young children. When the operation ends, only one man returns from the island of Bali Ha’i.

After their performances tonight and tomorrow at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., the cast will take the stage of The Palace Theatre in Greensburg to perform at Night of the Stars on May 2. They will perform a variety of songs and have a chance to see excerpts of musicals performed by other area high schools.

The fifth-longest running musical in Broadway history, South Pacific was written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and became “one of the greatest musicals of all time,” according to many critics. It won all nine Tony Awards it was nominated for in 1950, including the awards for both lead and supporting roles in a musical, which had never been done and has not been repeated in the history of the awards.

South Pacific was turned into a movie in 1958 and a television movie in 2001, starring Glenn Close and Harry Connick, Jr. Since then it has been performed by various high school and national groups, making it a popular show with every generation.

South Pacific promises to be an exciting show with lots of action and fun for everyone who attends. Tickets are on sale during lunch today and also before the show. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.

“You should come because I take a shower onstage, Ben Nemeth wears a coconut bra, and it’s just all coming together pretty sweet,” said Kerry.

Be sure to join the cast as they embark for the South Pacific in a musical that is sure to entertain.