On Friday night, June 29th, we celebrated the solstice a little late with a performance of South Pacific. With some slight revisions by the Savages, the show became South Atlantic.  Set right here on Dewees Island, the story revolves around a group of soldiers and nurses on an island during WWII. With romance and music and a whole lot of laughing, (and bellinis) it was a magical night.

There were more performers than audience (as usual) but the audience is growing each year. (You don’t want to miss this!) One of my favorite parts was young Anna Miles in the front row, delightedly pointing out her Grandpa whenever he was on the stage. The photos don’t do it justice: From the costumes with handmade nurses caps (thanks, Margaret!) to the tattoos on the soldiers, to the ad-libbing of lines, to the beautiful poster on the ferry (thanks, Esther!) to the gorgeous background of the marsh, to the grass skirts and coconuts, it really was an enchanted evening.  Full script and cast at the bottom of the photos.  If you want full sized copies for printing or downloading, click here.

 

 

SOUTH ATLANTIC

 

 

Cast:

 

Ensign Nellie Forbush, a Navy nurse.

Emile de Beque, a French ex-pat and plantation owner

De Beque’s children

Lieutenant Joseph Cable, a Marine on TDY

Captain, a Navy officer

Bloody Mary, a local woman

Liat, a local girl

Luther Billis, a Seabee

Seabees and Sailors

Nurses

 

Summary:

 

The action takes place on Dewees Island off the coast of South Carolina, during World War II Dewees Island’s wartime mission is centered around a submarine spotting tower on the island’s northern end, constructed to look out for German U-boats that may be threatening the important Naval Base at nearby Charleston.

 

Nellie Forbush, from Arkansas, is one of the female officers in charge of a corps of nurses stationed at Dewees for training. As the play opens she is welcoming a new group of nurses and briefing them about conditions on the island. Another new arrival is Lt. Joe Cable, a decorated marine who has seen action in Europe and North Africa. Coming off the ferry he meets Seabee Luther Billis, who is one of a group of restless sailors and Seabees who spend most of their time fishing, crabbing, clamming and shell collecting as well as practicing local handicrafts, making seashell jewelry and sweetgrass baskets. Billis explains to Cable that the only women around are the nurses, who are off limits. The men are bored and sorely in need of female companionship (“There is Nothin’ Like a Dame”).

 

At the Officers’ Club, the Captain, commanding officer on the island, introduces Nellie to Cable. The French expat Emile de Beque, a wealthy plantation owner, is also there. He watches Nellie and eventually they converse. Nellie finds herself drawn to this brooding Frenchman, who promises to invite her to his plantation to get better acquainted.

 

A business rivalry has developed between Billis, who buys handicrafts from the sailors and resells them at a profit, and Bloody Mary, the local dealer in these items. (“Bloody Mary”) Mary tells Cable about her home on a neighboring island to the north, the beautiful and mysterious Capers Island. (“Capers isle”, to the tune of “Bali Ha’i”) The island is off-limits to the men unless officers who go there for recreation bring them along to drive the launch.

 

Confused about her feelings for Emile, Nellie decides to decline the invitation to his plantation (“I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out-a My Hair”). But Emile finds her on the beach and convinces her to come. (“Some Enchanted Evening”) Nellie now believes that she and Emile could spend a wonderful lifetime together. She agrees to come to a dinner party at his home to meet his friends. (“A Wonderful Guy”)

 

Meanwhile, Luther Billis’ present mission is to get over to the forbidden Capers Island and he convinces Lt. Cable to lead a pleasure-seeking expedition there. On the island, Bloody Mary introduces Cable to the beautiful Liat and the Lieutenant falls in love with her (“Younger Than Springtime”).

Spotters in the submarine tower have observed unusual U-boat activity in and out of Capers inlet to the north, suggesting that a coordinated attack on the Naval Base is about to occur. Cable meets with the Captain and tells him of the assignment that has brought him to Dewees, a dangerous secret mission involving hiding out in the back creeks around Bull’s Bay and Cape Romain to the north, to pinpoint the location of the U-boats and convey this information to the Army Air Force so that warplanes can destroy the U-boat fleet. Due to the nature of the terrain, wild country infested with alligators and cottonmouth moccasins, it is agreed that they must find a local guide to accompany Cable on the mission, someone familiar with the salt marsh creeks, ocean inlets, and nearby islands. Emile has been summoned by the Captain, and is asked to assume join Cable on the mission to the north. Emile has just met Nellie and envisions a pleasant life with her. He refuses the assignment.

When Nellie dines at Emile’s island home he introduces her to his children who sing for her (“Dites-Moi”). Nellie is charmed by the children. But when Emile says that the children are his by an earlier marriage Nellie’s small town upbringing rises to the surface and, panicked, she runs from Emile and from their future. Emile sees his dream of paradise fading away.
Nellie throws herself into her work – as director of the Summer Solstice “follies” show (“Honey Bun”). With nothing to lose, Emile is feeling the recklessness of lost love, and with that recklessness comes the willingness to take greater risks. He agrees to go with Cable on the spy mission where the plan works and they are able to transmit messages of German U-boat maneuverings. Eventually they are discovered, radio contact with them is cut off, and they are presumed dead.

Faced with the realization that she may have lost Emile, Nellie finds that her love for him is greater than her fears. She goes to his home and is there with his children when he unexpectedly returns (“Dites-Moi” reprise”). Emile is weary and covered in pluff mud, but he is alive, reunited with his children, and with Nellie. And he is lugging a bushel of Capers oysters. Emile and Nellie and the children embrace. Joe and Liat arrive and they all celebrate with bellinis and steamed oysters. Finale (“Some Enchanted Evening” reprise).

 

 

 

 

 

Brief Overture.

 

Scene I.  The ferry landing.

 

Enter (from different sides) Nellie and Billis.

 

Billis: Hi, Ensign Forbush. Come to meet the boat?

 

Nellie: Hi, Luther. Yes, a new group of trainees are arriving on the launch from Charleston. What brings you here?

 

Billis: I had some advance intelligence from my scouts. Always like to check out the new flesh.

 

Nellie: Now Luther, you know the rules. No fraternizing. Look, the boat is here. Here they come.

 

Enter all nurses.

 

Nellie: Well, hello everyone. On behalf of the Naval Nurses Corps, welcome to the Dewees Hilton. Boy, we are so glad you are here. [Whistles from offstage] The men have been on this island a long time and I know they are missing their families and sweethearts. One look at you all and, well, you know. Come on, I’ll give you a little tour. And don’t worry about the alligators. They look fierce but it’s only the men you need to look out for.

 

Exit Nellie and Nurses. Enter Lieutenant Cable.

 

Billis: Welcome to Dewees, Lieutenant. Luther Billis here. Hey listen, Lieutenant, just keep in mind that if you need anything while you’re here, and I mean anything, you might want to see me. I can sell you souvenirs that you can’t find anywhere else, exotic shells, woven baskets in the local style, you name it I got. If I don’t I’ll get it.

 

Cable: What kind of con are you running, Billis.

 

Billis: Uncle Sam says we’re stuck out here, you know, but he don’t say nothing about having to be bored. This is a sweet place ain’t it. Look at the birds, the marshes, look at this weather. Sweet sweet place. Except for the women.

 

Cable: What’s the problem with the women?

 

Billis: There ain’t any. Except for the nurses. And you know, the Navy being the Navy, they only let the officers fraternize with’em. In fact I hear there’s a dance tonight at the Officer’s Club. You should go and check them out.

 

Cable: I don’t get it. What happened to the women who were here before the war?

 

Billis: When the Navy decided to send all us men in here, the government in its wisdom moved all the local residents over to Capers, an island up north of here. That’s where they all are now. And us men ain’t allowed to go there. So that’s the way things are for us.

 

Enter a motley crew of sailors and Seabees.

 

Sailors and Seabees: Song: There is Nothing Like a Dame

 

Billis:
We got sunlight on the sand,
We got moonlight on the sea,
We got juicy clams and oysters
You can pick right up for free,
We got dammitball and ping-pong
And a lot of dandy games!
What ain’t we got?
We ain’t got dames!

All Sailors:
There is nothin’ like a dame,
Nothin’ in the world,
There is nothin’ you can name
That is anythin’ like a dame!

Billis:
We get packages from home,
We get movies, we get shows,
We get speeches from our skipper
We get lots of time to doze,
We get letters doused with perfume
We get dizzy from the smell!
What don’t we get?
You know darn well!
Sailor #1:
We have nothin’ to put on a clean white suit for
What we need is what there ain’t no substitute for…

All Sailors:
There is nothin’ like a dame,
Nothin’ in the world,
There is nothin’ you can name
That is anythin’ like a dame!
Sailor #2:

We feel restless, we feel blue,
We feel lonely and in grief,
We feel ev’ry kind of feelin’,
But the feelin’ of relief
We feel hungry as the wolf felt
When he met Red Hiding-hood
What don’t we feel?
We don’t feel good!

Sailor #1:
Lots of things in life are beautiful, but brother,
There is one particular thing that is nothin’ whatsoever
In any way, shape or form like any other.

All Sailors:
There is nothin’ like a dame,
Nothin’ in the world,
There is nothin’ you can name
That is anythin’ like a dame!

Sailor #2:
There is absolutely nothin’ like a frame of a dame.

All Sailors:
There are no books like a dame,
And nothin’ looks like a dame.
There are no drinks like a dame,
And nothin’ thinks like a dame,
Nothin’ acts like a dame,
Or attracts like a dame.
There ain’t a thing that’s wrong with any man here
That can’t be cured by puttin’ him near
A girly, womanly, female, feminine dame!

All Exit.

 

Scene II.  The Officer’s Club (formerly the Huyler House before being requisitioned by the Navy).

 

Enter Cable and the Captain.

Enter separately Emile de Beque, who stands alone looking out over the marsh.

 

Captain: Welcome to our island, Joe. We’ll talk shop tomorrow. Tonight is a good time to get acquainted with some of our people.

 

Cable: I’m looking forward to that. Who is that fellow over there. He sure doesn’t look like Navy.

 

Captain: That is the island’s most prominent civilian resident, Emile de Beque. Has that big house you probably saw on the high part of the island as you were coming in. He’s a French expat who owns plantations here and on the mainland. We don’t know much about him. He mostly keeps to himself, even though we have extended a standing invitation to him to use the Club. I’ve heard he often goes off alone fishing and hunting, knows all the back creeks.

 

Enter Nellie.

 

Captain:  Here’s one of our lady officers. Joe, this is Ensign Nellie Forbush, who’s in charge of the young nurses training here. She’s also in charge of putting on our annual Summer Solstice “Follies” show to entertain the men. Nellie, meet Marine Lieutenant Joe Cable.

 

Nellie: Pleased to meet you, Joe. I saw you at the boat. Looks like you met our Luther Billis.

 

Captain (laughing): Luther doesn’t take long to grab onto new customers. What did he sell you, Joe? Come on, I’ll introduce you to some of the other officers.

 

Nellie stands alone for a moment and then moves over and looks out at the marsh. Emile is watching her.

 

Emile: Beautiful evening, no? (Nellie seems startled) I am sorry. I do not wish to intrude.

 

Nellie: Oh no – no, it’s OK, really, please. (Emile moves closer) Will you look at that sky. Sometimes the moon is so bright at night that it seems like day.

 

Emile: Sometimes one gets lonely out here, in the evening, for someone to talk to.

 

Nellie (nodding): People of like minds.

 

Emile: I wonder, would you be so kind as to come to my home one day?

 

Nellie: I would like that.

 

Emile: Then you must. I will be away for a few days, and then I will be in touch if that is fine for you.

 

Nellie: Yes.

 

Emile: Bon. Good. A bientot.

 

Nellie: Goodnight.

 

All exit.

 

Scene III.  The north beach, near Lavender Point.

 

Enter Billis and the other sailors and Seabees.

 

Billis: Hey, men, look who’s coming over from Capers. Bloody Mary herself. She’s gonna set up her kiosk here and try to sell you guys her stuff. Watch me sell her some of our wares. (Enter Bloody Mary) Hey Mary, wanna buy some lovely sweetgrass baskets. A hundred bucks for the lot. You can sell these on the mainland for a big markup.

 

Mary: I give you ten dollar for the baskets.

 

Billis: I’m sorry, something’s wrong with my ear. I can’t hear you.

 

Mary: Look what I have for you. Fine shell bracelet made from rare Capers seashells. You like?

 

Billis: I’ve seen better. [aside to sailors:] That’s worth at least a hundred bucks. [to Mary:] But just because I like you I’ll do you a favor and take that off your hands. You can keep the baskets. We’ll swap.

 

Mary: That’s a deal (giving Billis the bracelet).

 

Sailors and Seabees:    Song: Bloody Mary.

 

Bloody Mary is the girl I love.
Bloody Mary is the girl I love.
Bloody Mary is the girl I love.
Now ain’t that too damn bad!

Her skin is tender as DiMaggio’s glove.
Her skin is tender as DiMaggio’s glove.
Her skin is tender as DiMaggio’s glove.
Now ain’t that too damn bad!

Bloody Mary likes her Red Man chaw.
She is always chewin’ Red Man chaw.
Bloody Mary’s chewin’ Red Man chaw.
And she don’t use Pepsodent!
Now ain’t that too damn bad!

Bloody Mary is the girl I love.
Bloody Mary is the girl I love.
Bloody Mary is the girl I love.
Now ain’t that too damn bad!
Now ain’t that too damn bad!

 

Enter Cable. Mary sees him.

 

Mary: Hey Lieutenant, you damn pretty man.

 

Cable: Thanks, you look pretty good yourself.

 

Mary: Hey Lieutenant, you want buy present for sweetheart? (displays shell) Real mother of pearl.

 

Cable: I don’t have a sweetheart.

 

Mary: No sweetheart? I give you this for present.

 

Billis: You don’t never give me nothing for free.

 

Mary: You not pretty like Lieutenant.

 

Cable: Where did you get that shell anyway?

 

Mary: Capers Isle, over there.

 

Billis: That’s the place I was telling  you about Lieutenant. It’s off limits but officers can get a launch to go there. I’m the launch driver.

 

Mary: Lieutenant, the island is calling to you. Hear it?

 

Cable: I hear the sound of the wind, that’s all.

 

Mary: Not hear something calling. Listen.

Song: Capers Isle (to the tune of Bali-Ha’i)

Most people live on a lonely island,
Lost in the middle of a foggy sea.
Most people long for another island,
One where they know they will like to be.

Capers Isle may call you,
Any night, any day,
In your heart, you’ll hear it call you:
“Come away…Come away.”

Capers Isle will whisper
In the wind of the sea:
“Here am I, your special island!
Come to me, come to me!”

Your own special hopes,
Your own special dreams,
Bloom on the hillside
And shine in the streams.
If you try, you’ll find me
Where the sky meets the sea.
“Here am I your special island
Come to me, Come to me.”

Capers Isle, Capers Isle, Capers Isle!

Mary (to Cable): Is good idea. You like?

 

Cable: Maybe.

 

All exit.

 

Scene IV.  The beach near the gazebo at Ancient Dunes, where the nurses take their showers.

 

Enter Nellie and the Nurses, dressed for showers, with towels.

 

Nellie: Do you think two people with very different backgrounds can ever be happy together?

 

Nurse #1: If you are talking about you-know-who I have overheard the guys talking. Those Frenchies have quite a way with the ladies, and they say when he first came out here before the war he had his run of all the girls on the island. Quite a lady’s man!

 

Nurse #2: There’s also talk of stuff that went on before the war – all kind of vague but it might have been in some kind of trouble with the law. They say he killed a man.

 

Nellie: Well, what’s past is past. But you know, what the heck. Why get hurt? The best thing is to put a stop to this whole thing before it even gets started. (Walking into the shower) I’ve made up my mind. It’s all off.

Song:  I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair

Nellie:
I’m gonna wash that man right outa my hair,
I’m gonna wash that man right outa my hair,
I’m gonna wash that man right outa my hair,
And send him on his way.

I’m gonna wave that man right outa my arms,
I’m gonna wave that man right outa my arms,
I’m gonna wave that man right outa my arms,
And send him on his way.

Nellie:
Don’t try to patch it up

Nurses:
Tear it up, tear it up!

Nellie:
Wash him out, dry him out,

Nurses:
Push him out, fly him out,

Nellie:
Cancel him and let him go!

Nurses:
Yea, sister!

Nellie:
I’m gonna wash that man right outa my hair,
I’m gonna wash that man right outa my hair,
I’m gonna wash that man right outa my hair,
And send him on his way.

If a man don’t understand you,
If you fly on separate beams,
Waste no time, make a change,
Ride that man right off your range.
Rub him out of the roll call
And drum him out of your dreams.

Nurses:
Oho! If you laugh at different comics,
If you root for different teams,
Waste no time, weep no more,
Show him what the door is for.
Rub him out of the roll call
And drum him out of your dreams.

Nellie and Nurses:
If his eyes get dull and fishy,
When you look for glints and gleams,
Waste no time,
Make a switch,
Drop him in the nearest ditch!
Rub him out of the roll call,
And drum him out of your dreams
Oho! Oho!

Nellie:
I’m gonna wash that man right outa my hair,
I’m gonna wash that man right outa my hair,
I’m gonna wash that man right outa my hair,
And send him on his way.

Nurses:
She’s gonna wash that man right outa her hair,
She’s gonna wash that man right outa her hair,
She’s gonna wash that man right outa her hair,

Nellie and Nurses:
And send him on his way!

 

Exit Nurses. Nellie stays on the beach, drying her hair. 

 

Enter Emile.

 

Emile: Hello, Nellie.

 

Nellie (weakly): Hello.

 

Emile: I left a note for you at the hospital, asking you to my home for dinner. Next Friday?

 

Nellie: I’m sorry, Emile. I don’t think so.

 

Emile: But the party is for you. For my friends to meet you and you to meet them. I want you to find out what life is like here and find out more about me. After all, you know very little about me.

 

Nellie: That’s true. (hesitates) Emile, can I ask you something?

 

Emile: Of course.

 

Nellie: I have heard things. I want to ask you why a man would kill another man.

 

Emile: Killing is a very serious matter and not to be done if there is any other choice. The man you are speaking of was a very bad man. I had warned him many times to stop doing what he was doing. One night I found him doing it again he came at me with his shovel. He laughed and said “I am going to kill you now.” He swung the shovel but I blocked his blow and hit him with my fist. He fell and hit his head on his shovel. He died on the beach. That was all long ago.

 

Nellie: What had he been doing that led to all that.

 

Emile: He was coming to the island at night and raiding the loggerhead turtle nests, stealing the eggs.        . . . . All these years here, Nellie, I will not tell you that there have not been other women. But I always knew that someday you would come to this island. It is you who I have been waiting for. Nellie, will you marry me?  . . . . There are so few days in our lives. The time I have with you now is precious to me. I love you, Nellie. I do not see how I can live without you.

 

Song: Some Enchanted Evening

Some enchanted evening
You may see a stranger,
you may see a stranger
Across a crowded room
And somehow you know,
You know even then
That somewhere you’ll see her
Again and again.

Some enchanted evening
Someone may be laughin’,
You may hear her laughin’
Across a crowded room
And night after night,
As strange as it seems
The sound of her laughter
Will sing in your dreams.

Who can explain it?
Who can tell you why?
Fools give you reasons,
Wise men never try.

Some enchanted evening
When you find your true love,
When you feel her call you
Across a crowded room,
Then fly to her side,
And make her your own
Or all through your life you
May dream all alone.

Once you have found her,
Never let her go.
Once you have found her,
Never let her go!

 

Emile: Will you come on Friday?

 

Nellie (nodding): OK.

 

Exit Emile. Nellie looks out to sea dreamily.

Enter Nurses.

 

Nurse #1: Well, you told him alright!

 

Nurse #2: You sure washed him right out of your hair.

 

Song: A Wonderful Guy

Nurse #1:
She’s as corny as Kansas in August,
She’s as normal as blueberry pie

No more a smart little girl with a heart,
She has found her a wonderful guy!

She’s as corny as Kansas in August,
High as a flag on the Fourth of July!
If you’ll excuse an expression I use,
She’s in love, she’s in love,
She’s in love, she’s in love,
She’s in love with a wonderful guy!

Nurses:
She’s as corny as Kansas in August,
High as a flag on the Fourth of July!

Nurse #1:
If you’ll excuse an expression I use,
She’s in love,

Nurses:
She’s in love,

Nurse #1:
She’s in love,

Nurses:

She’s in love,

Nurse #1:
She’s in love,

All Nurses:
She’s in love with a wonderful guy!

 

All exit.

 

Scene V.  Capers Island.

 

Enter Cable and Billis.

 

Billis: What do you say, Sir? Beautiful day to be arriving at the sacred island ain’t it?

 

Cable: Not bad, not bad at all.

 

Enter Bloody Mary and other women. The other women take Billis by the arms and lead him away offstage. He goes happily.

 

Mary: Hello Lieutenant. You stay with me. I have surprise for you.

 

Enter Liat.

 

Mary: This Liat. She very pretty, no?

 

Cable: Very pretty.

 

Mary: Liat, this Lieutenant Cable.

 

Cable: Joe

 

Mary: I tell her you hero. You want me go away?

 

Exit Bloody Mary. Joe and Liat move together and look into one another’s eyes. Joe takes her hand and leads her offstage.

 

Time passes and the music plays the tune of “Younger Than Springtime.”  Cable and Liat stroll back on stage. He has his arm around her and is wearing no shirt. She too is more scantily clothed. He sings.

Song: Younger Than Springtime

Younger than springtime, are you
Softer than starlight, are you,
Warmer than winds of June,
Are the gentle lips you gave me.
Gayer than laughter, are you,
Sweeter than music, are you,
Angel and lover, heaven and earth,
Are you to me.

And when your youth
And joy invade my arms,
And fill my heart as now they do,
Then younger than springtime, am I,
Gayer than laughter, am I,
Angel and lover, heaven and earth,
Am I with you!

 

Billis (offstage): Come on, Lieutenant, the launch is leaving. We gotta beat the tide.

Cable (to Liat): I will return.

 

Cable and Liat part reluctantly and exit in different directions.

 

Scene VI.  Island Headquarters, near the septic field. The Captain’s Office.

 

Enter Cable and the Captain and seat themselves at a table.

 

Captain: I have made my reports to Naval Headquarters about the Nazi submarine activity we have been observing from the tower. I assume you have been sent in response to that activity.

 

Cable:  Captain, Naval intelligence analysts have concluded that the U-boats are massing behind the islands to the north, somewhere in the back creeks around Bulls Bay and Cape Romain.  We think they are planning a surprise attack on the fleet in Charleston. I have been assigned to make a reconnaissance mission to the north with a radio. Once I get out there I’ll try to pinpoint the location of each sub, radio in the coordinates and let the fly boys come in and take care of them.

 

Captain: I hate to put a damper on your plans, Joe, but we have had some experience up there in the past and it’s not going to be easy. That area is infested with alligators, cottonmouth moccasins and all kind of dangers, not to mention the Nazis.

 

Cable:  What I need is someone to go with me who knows the territory. There must be a man who has been hunting and fishing up there before the war who we could enlist to help.

 

Captain: There is only one man I know who could fill that bill. Remember the Frenchman who was at the Club last night? He knows every inch of the area around there and how to survive in those conditions. I have asked him to come by so we can try to get him on board. [calls offstage:]. Send in de Beque.

 

Enter Emile.

 

Captain: Mr. de Beque, Lieutenant Cable here has a proposition for you. He needs a guide to go out with him for a few days to scout out the area around Bulls Bay and Cape Romain where we believe some Nazi U-boats are hiding out in the back creeks and preparing an offensive against the Naval Base in Charleston. Will you do it?

 

Emile: When a man faces death he must weigh the sweetness of his life against the things he is asked to die for. I know those places well. But the probability of death for Lieutenant Cable and myself is very great. My answer must be no. I’m sorry.

 

Cable: Aw come on, de Beque, let’s be honest. You’re a man in love with a girl and you are putting her above everything else in the world.

 

Emile: Yes, Lieutenant, I do care about my life with her, more than anything else in the world. Other than my family, it is the only thing that is important to me. This I believe in. This I am sure of. This I cannot risk to lose. Good day, gentlemen.

 

All exit.

 

Scene VII.  The terrace outside de Beque’s plantation home.

 

Enter Nellie and Emile.

 

Nellie: What a great party! You have just the nicest friends. You know, Emile, some people would say we are different kinds of people, but we’re the same kind of people fundamentally. We appreciate things, we’re enthusiastic about things. Know what I mean? (he pours champagne, gives her a flute and raises his own)

 

Emile: To us. . . . Nellie, there is something else that you need to know about me.

 

Nellie: You sound so serious. Is it bad?

 

Emile: Not bad, just very important. [calling offstage:] Enfants.

 

Enter children.

 

Emile: Nellie, the children would like to perform for you.

 

Children:               Song: Dites-Moi

Dites-moi
Pourquoi
La vie est belle,
Dites-moi
Pourquoi–
La vie est gai,
Dites-moi
Pourquoi,
Chere Mad’moiselle,
Est-ce que
Parce que
Vous m’aimez?

 

Nellie: Oh they are so adorable!

 

Emile: They would like to stay and visit but it is their bedtime. Say “bon nuit” enfants.

 

Children: Bon nuit, mademoiselle.

 

Exit children.

 

Nellie (calling after them): Bon nuit. [To Emile:] Oh they are so sweet! Whose are they?

 

Emile: They are mine, Nellie.

 

Nellie: Where is their mother?

 

Emile: She is dead. . . . She was beautiful. And charming too. You would have liked her.

 

Nellie (turning away): It’s such a surprise. You have children. I didn’t expect it, that’s all. My goodness. Look at the time. I have to go!

 

Emile: Nellie, don’t go yet please.

 

Nellie: This is terrible. I’ll never be able to face the girls, coming in so late. I’ll call you, Emile. Oh, no, I just remembered. We have this show to put on and I’m in charge. We’ll be rehearsing day and night so I won’t have time to see you. Thank you so much, it was a wonderful party.

 

Exit Nellie, then Emile exits slowly in other direction.

 

Scene VIII.  The stage of an outdoor theater.

 

Enter Captain. Minor applause from the audience.

 

Captain: I want to welcome you all to our annual Summer Solstice musical production. This year’s production has been put together by our own Ensign Forbush of the Naval Nurses Corps. And here she is.

 

Exit Captain and enter Nellie. Loud applause. Whistles.

 

Nellie: Everybody ready for some fun? (applause)

 

Enter Billis with Sailors dressed as a women.

 

Song: Honey Bun

 

Billis:

My doll is as dainty as a sparrow,
Her figure is somethin’ to applaud.
Where she’s narrow she’s as narrow an arrow,
And she’s broad where a broad should be broad.

Sailors:
A hundred and one pounds of fun,
I’m his little honey bun!
Get a load of honey bun tonight.

Billis:
I’m speakin’ of my Sweetie Pie,
Only sixty inches high,
Ev’ry inch is packed with dynamite!

Sailors:

My hair is blond and curly,
My curls are hurly-burly.
My lips are pips!
He calls my hips ‘Twirly’ and ‘Whirly.’
I’m his baby, he’s my pap!
He’s my booby, I’m his trap!

Billis:
I am caught and I don’t wanna run,
‘Cause I’m havin’ so much fun with honey bun!

All exit dancing off stage. Applause.

 

Scene IX. On the beach near the theater.

 

The music of Honey Bun is playing in the background.

 

Enter  Emile. He stands and looks out to sea.  Enter Cable.

 

Cable: You know, when I was a kid back in Wisconsin, when things weren’t going so well, you know what I would do? I would go out on a hunting and fishing trip, out into the wilderness. I’m planning to go on a hunting and fishing trip tonight. I was thinking of going alone but I sure could use a little company.

 

Emile: Do you have the radio? I am ready to go when you are.

 

They shake hands and exit together.

 

Scene X. The Captain’s office.

 

Enter  Captain and then Nellie.

 

Nellie: Captain, have you had any news about Emile?

 

Captain: Nellie, all we know is that he and Lieutenant Cable did a heroic job. They covered a lot of dangerous terrain and risked capture at every moment. Cable would not have even gotten there without the help of your friend. They discovered the location of five U-boats and radioed the coordinates to us. The bad news is that we completely lost contact with Joe and de Beque. I’m sorry, Nellie. We may never know what happened to them.

 

All exit, Nellie sobbing.

 

Scene XI. The terrace outside de Beque’s plantation home.

 

Enter  Nellie, holding hands with the children, holding hands. They seat themselves at a small table.

 

Song: Dites-Moi reprise

Nellie and kids:
Dites-moi
Pourquoi
La vie est belle,
Dites-moi
Pourquoi–

Enter Emile covered with pluff mud and dragging a sack.
Emile:
La vie est gai,
All:

Dites-moi
Pourquoi,
Chere Mad’moiselle,
Est-ce que
Parce que
Vous m’aimez?

Emile and Nellie kiss.

 

Emile (raising the sack): I have brought oysters from Capers.

 

Children (jumping up and down and clapping their hands): Les huitres! Merveilleux !

 

Nellie: Wonderful! Let’s steam them. I’ll make bellinis.

 

Enter Cable and Liat, arm in arm.

 

Cable: I hope you have enough for two more.

 

All embrace.

Song: Some Enchanted Evening reprise

Ensemble:

Some enchanted evening
When you find your true love,
When you feel her call you
Across a crowded room,
Then fly to her side,
And make her your own
Or all through your life you
May dream all alone.
Once you have found him,
Never let him go.
Once you have found her,
Never let her go!

 

Fini

 

CAST:

 

Ensign Nellie Forbush – Anne Oman

Emile de Beque – David Smith

Lieut. Joe Cable – Jim Doyle

Captain – George Hilton

Luther Billis – Bob Drew

Bloody Mary – Judy Fairchild

Liat – Mary O’Connor

 

De Beque Children:

Fiona Williams

Ted Fairchild

Sam Savage

 

Sailors:

Artus Moser

Jim Anderson

Dave McIntyre

Bubber McAlhany

Carroll Savage

Jesse Williams

Nick Williams

Zach Tamen

Clayton Perry

 

Nurses:

Ginny Moser

Anne Anderson

Caroline Smith

Connie Drew

Marion Cotton

Margaret Hilton

Jan McAlhany

Esther Doyle

Cassandra McLeod

Lee Miller

Kate Fairchild

 

Director: Jane Savage