“Rodgers and Hammerstein shows are amazing, and ‘South Pacific’ is one of those shows that is great,” said Bob Hoffman, public relations manager for Wharton Center. “It is one of the most critically acclaimed shows of recent seasons. We wanted to definitely bring it to Wharton Center.”

Created by famous playwrighting duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, “South Pacific” is based on the 1948 book “Tales of the South Pacific” by James A. Michener.

Originally premiering on Broadway in 1949, the show features several well-known songs, such as “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair,” “Bali Ha’i,” “There Is Nothing Like a Dame” and “Some Enchanted Evening.”

After about a 50-year hiatus in the U.S., the production was revived on Broadway in 2008 for the first time since debut. The new version won 11 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical.

Despite the show’s age, Hoffman said it is still relevant to modern audiences.

“I think it has a broad appeal to all theatergoers,” Hoffman said. “It does contain themes of World War II and racial intolerance, but those are things that are still going on — racial intolerance and a war. I think that anytime theater pushes the envelope, it’s a good thing. It makes people think. This one is relaxing, good theater, but it also has a good message in it.”

Topics in the show such as racial bigotry keep the story fresh for new generations, history professor Jane Veith said.

“Issues remain — racism, love story, America’s role in international affairs, those are still issues today,” Veith said. “The issues are both eternal and very contemporary. I also think the love story is always an eternal story, kind of a ‘Romeo and Juliet’ story. (The two lovers) represent two different cultures.”

Charles Keith, an assistant professor of history, said books, plays and movies about World War II — like “South Pacific” ­— have retained huge popularity in the last few years.

“There definitely is a popularity of World War II-related popular culture,” Keith said. “It has a real staying power. It definitely went away a little bit in the ’70s and ’80s, but really starting in the ’90s again, a lot of it had to do with the awareness of Americans who fought in that war were really getting old and weren’t going to be around much longer. I think it was part of that, partly the end of the Cold War and resurgence of patriotism.”

Although it primary is a love story, the musical also focuses heavily on racial stereotyping that was common at the time. Keith said the prejudices in the play are accurately portrayed, and that due in part to the war, there was a heavy stereotype against Asians, whether Japanese or not.

“To a certain degree, racial stereotypes were a little bit more ingrained then,” he said. “That certainly was a very common thing.”

Megan Brophy, an advertising sophomore, first saw this new production of “South Pacific” in summer 2009, and she is excited to see it again.

“It’s very refreshing to see something so classic,” Brophy said. “It’s very moving and the music is great. Rodgers and Hammerstein do some great shows and this production is very well done.”

“South Pacific” will play at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets range from $31.50 to $67.50 for general admission. Student tickets are $27.50 and are available for the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and 6:30 p.m. Sunday shows.

For tickets or more information, visit the Wharton Center Box Office at whartoncenter.com or call (517) 432-2000.