The Palm Beach Principal Players is pleased to announce its upcoming production of South Pacific, at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. This classic musical, by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, remains timeless in its story, theme and music.

The musical is set on an island in the South Pacific, against the backdrop of World War II and based on James Michener's novel "Tales of the South Pacific". Its themes of global conflict, class differences, racism, and prejudice are as timely today as when the musical premiered on Broadway 60 years ago. Woven throughout is the love story of Emile DeBeque and Nellie Forbush, two people from different worlds who fall in love, despite the differences in their background, their age, and their views of the world. Mirroring them is the story of Joe Cable, a young man from "Main Line" Philadelphia, who finds himself falling in love with a native island girl, Liat. Propelled by classic songs like "Some Enchanted Evening", "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair", and "Younger Than Springtime", and a Pulitzer Prize winning book by Josh Logan, this hit will bring back memories for mature theater-goers, and create new ones for young people.

As with last year's hit, "Les Miserables", the 'Players' have cast an extraordinary group of young actors from several Palm Beach County High Schools, Colleges, and Universities. In addition, returning company members from such schools as Cornish, UCF, Rollins, and NYU will also be filling roles in this production, along with several students from Palm Beach Day Academy, playing DeBeque's children as well as native islanders. This is the only company of its kind, offering young people age s 15-25 the opportunity to perform full book musicals in a professional quality program.

This year, as in years past, the Principal Players will honor a segment of our community by offering them free tickets. In keeping with the theme of the show, all members of the military and armed forces, both active and retired, will be eligible for this offer, and can bring one guest as well.

South Pacific opens on Thursday, July 3, and runs through Sunday, July 6. All evening performances will be at 8:00 pm, except Sunday, which will be at 7:00 pm. Matinees are at 2:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday. All seats are reserved, and all seats are $20.00. Please call the Maltz Jupiter Theatre box office at 561-575-2223 / 800-445-1666 or online at www.jupitertheatre.org