The great Rogers and Hammerstein musical, “South Pacific,” opened at our Fountain Hills Theater Sept. 4-20. For some of us, taking a ride down memory lane is fun since today is the original Nellie’s birthday. Mitzi Gaynor is 84 today! The beautiful music rang through our small theater and brought laughter and some tears.

Alex Gonzalez as the French plantation owner looks so handsome and his voice literally soars. Karissa Anderson-Self, as Nellie, does a great job with him in “Some Enchanted Evening” and with the other nurses in “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out-and-out My Hair.” She does this role perky and it works.

Against the backdrop of WWII on two islands in the South Pacific, old black and white news reels remind us that we are at war. The prize ensemble hit of the evening, for me, goes to the sailors in “There’s Nothin’ Like a Dame.” Matt McDonald, as Luther Billis, steals every scene he’s in and Ray Walston would be proud. Who knew Captain Brackett is our beloved Patrick Russo? Not one song, too bad.

Would not wait on this one...treat yourself and go see this delightful musical. Thanks Peter J. for great directing and his bride, Noel, for the great choreography. They are our royalty couple and never let us down.

There are a few tickets left for the Sept. 25 fundraiser “Howl at the Moon.” Come join us as we cruise Saguaro Lake with a full moon night of food and fun. Call 837-9661 for tickets.

See you at the theater.

And mark your calendar for the big fundraiser, “Broadway in the Hills,” on Sunday, March 6, 2016.