The Grayson College theatre department is currently rehearsing the award winning musical, South Pacific, written by Rodgers and Hammerstein.  This musical has won numerous Tony awards on Broadway and has entertained audiences over the years.  Songs such as “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair,” “There Ain’t Nothin’ Like a Dame,” and “Some Enchanted Evening” are among several in this show. The Grayson College theatre department is excited about this project for two reasons.

First, this show takes place during War World II, so this production will be a way to honor our local veterans and their families.  South Pacific will open Oct 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Cruce Stark and it will also be part of Denison's Eisenhower Birthday Celebration weekend.  Any veteran and their family members are admitted free to the October 12 and October 13 performances, both at 7:30 p.m.

On October 12, there will be a parachute jump across the street from Grayson at 6:45 p.m. and then a reception in the lobby in Cruce Stark to honor veterans and their families.  At 7:30 p.m. there will be a short presentation and then the musical, South Pacific, will begin.

South Pacific cast at Grayson College

The second reason Grayson Theatre is excited about this show is the opportunity to include people in the community in this production.  There is a cast of 24 actors, and within this cast there are five actors who are not Grayson students.  Lisa Herbert, the Grayson College librarian, will portray the role of “Bloody Mary.” She will have the honor of singing the ballad, “Bali Hai” and “Happy Talk.”   Skiler Schmidtz, a Grayson College theatre alumna will portray “Captain Bracket.”

Lisa Herbert, Skiler Schmidtz, AJ DaCosta and Macie Johnson are four community members in Grayson Theatre's production of South Pacific.

Two high school students are in the chorus: Macie Johnson from Pottsboro High School and AJ DaCosta from Denison High School.  The roles of “Ngana” and “Jerome” will be played by Layla and Amarion Thomas, children of Grayson College’s own Aaron Thomas.  Layla and Amarion attend Mayes Elementary School in Denison.

Layla and Amarion Thomas, with their father Aaron Thomas. Layla and Amarion are actors in South Pacific.

Performances of South Pacific are October 19 and October 20 at 7:30 p.m.; October 18 at 10:00 a.m.; and October 21 at 2:00 p.m. There will be a lunch served by the Grayson College culinary department in the Grayson culinary dining room on October 21 at 12:30 p.m.  Tickets for all performances are $5 or free with a Grayson College I.D.   The lunch/show ticket on October 21 is $15 and reservations for lunch are required. 

For more information about tickets or the show contact the Grayson College theatre department at 903-463-8609 or theatre@grayson.edu.