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The Mountain Play Goes Tropical with "South Pacific"

2014 Mountain Play South PacificThe Mountain Play makes musical magic once again with its 101st production: Rodgers and Hammerstein's South PacificSet in a tropical island paradise during World War II and featuring classic songs like "Some Enchanted Evening", "Happy Talk", "Bali Ha'i", and "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair", this year's production is directed by Bay Area theater pro Linda Dunn. Dunn also happens to be the ex-wife of veteran Mountain Play director Jim Dunn, who performs in South Pacific as US Navy Captain George Brackett.

South Pacific tells two parallel love stories, one of Ensign Nellie Forbush (Taylor Chalker), a spunky Navy nurse, and local French plantation owner Emile de Becque (Peter Vilkin); the other of Lieutenant Joseph Cable (Tyler Costin) and young island woman Liat (Mia Klenk). The cast also features Randy Nazarian in  as Luther Billis and Lily Tung Crystal as Bloody Mary.

As always, it's fantastic live musical entertainment for the whole family, and a don't-miss Marin experience. My kids look forward to going to the Mountain Play every year. Great tickets are still available for Mountain Play performances on May 25 and June 1, 7, 8, and 15. All shows begin at 2 pm.

2014 Mountain Play South Pacific2014 Mountain Play South Pacific

The Mountain Play's production of South Pacific has a different look and feel than previous productions. Director Linda Dunn and scenic designer Ken Rowland have taken a cue from living history and created an authentic looking military compound for the set, complete with period jeeps and trucks. A flyover by World War II-era aircraft added another degree of verisimilitude to the experience.

We loved the performances of Taylor Chalker, who brought humor, and charm to the role of Nellie Forbush, and Peter Vilkin, who was convincing as a French plantation owner Emile de Becque and had an amazing singing voice, too. Tyler Costin as Lt. Joseph Cable, was a also a standout, as was Miat Klenk as his love interest Liat. The whole cast—sailors, nurses, marines, and island natives included—was energetic and talented and really provided an outstanding theater experience.

2014 Mountain Play South Pacific2014 Mountain Play South Pacific

As always, the onstage action was accompanied by a live orchestra conducted by Debra Chambliss. Of course the play itself is only just a part of the Mountain Play experience, which also includes live music, puppet shows, picnics, food and drink, and hiking.

If You Go

General seating tickets to the Mountain Play are $40 for adults, $35 for seniors 65+, $30 for youths 14–20, and $20 for children 4–13; children 3 and under are free. Reserved seats are available for Mountain Play Fan Club members starting at $60; higher levels include perks like reserved parking, special shuttle passes, and gourmet dining in the woods. Order tickets online here or by phone at (415) 383-1100. You can also buy your tickets at the door; the box office opens at 9 am. Performances start at 2 pm and end around 4:30 pm, but of course you'll want to get there early for maximum fun.

When you go, make sure you're prepared for any kind of weather. Even if it's foggy in Mill Valley, the Rock Springs and amphitheater area can be above it all and bathed in bright sunlight. Of course it can be windy and foggy, too. There are some areas of shade in the amphitheater, but they're available on a first-come, first-served basis.

2014 Mountain Play South Pacific2014 Mountain Play South Pacific

Hats, sunscreen, and layered clothing are a must at the Mountain Play. Make sure you bring plenty of drinking water, too, although drinking fountains and drink concessions are available at the play. Amphitheater seats are all stone blocks, so stadium cushions, pillows, blankets, and other forms of padding are a good idea, too. You can rent pads at the amphitheater, and reserved seats have pads in place already.

The Mountain Play takes place at the Cushing Memorial Amphitheater in Mount Tamalpais State Park. While you can park up at the amphitheater, which is located near the Rock Springs trailhead and parking area, parking there is very limited, and fills up early in the day.

The traditional way to get to the Mountain Play is to take one of the free shuttle buses up from Tamalpais High School or the Manzanita Park-and-Ride Lot (near the Buckeye restaurant). Buses leave approximately every 15 minutes starting at 10 am, and will take you back down the mountain after the play.

For more information on how to get to there, read our Insider's Guide to the 2014 Mountain Play. You can learn more about the Mountain Play at www.mountainplay.org or (415) 383-1100.