Valentine’s Day weekend will take on a tropical romance feel on Saturday, February 13, when downtown Peoria’s nonprofit Apollo Theater presents 20th Century Fox’s 1958 musical South Pacific – and a party.
Recently revived on Broadway, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic musical follows a nurse serving in the Navy and a Frenchman helping the Allies during World War II.
Based on James Michener’s book “Tales of the South Pacific,” the film version of the ‘50s Broadway hit stars Mitzi Gaynor and Rosanno Brazzi, with terrific supporting roles handled by John Kerr, Ray Walston and Juanita Hall.
The Oscar-winning movie’s familiar songs include “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Happy Talk,” “Bali Ha’i,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair” and “There Is Nothing Like A Dame.”
Before the 7:00 p.m. screening, Peoria impresario Edith Barnard will host a party. People are invited to drink “South Pacific Smoothies” and listen to music by the Academy of Fretted Instrument’s guitarists Dave McDonald, Andy Hatfield, Wes Sedrel, Pat Connolly and Andrew Turney. Also, Perce Photography will take people’s photos with a “Beach Sunset Backdrop” available on the spot, and a prize for Best Tropically Dressed will be awarded by celebrity judges Stacy Peterson-Steiner, Steve Spain, Kate O’Hara, Ethan Johnson, Roger Dornaus, Nikki Vulgaris and Joseph Milton.
Barnard’s zany novel about life and love in the tropics, “Suddenly Single Island Style,” will be available, too.
Showtimes are at 7:00 p.m., and the Apollo’s suggested donation is $5 and $4 for kids, students and seniors. For details call (309) 673-4343. For more information on the party, call Barnard at (309) 922-9058.
