Emmy Award-winning actor GregAlan Williams will be the featured performer in the UVI Theatre’s fall production of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “South Pacific.” Williams, who has appeared in more than 150 films and television episodes — including “Remember the Titans,” “Stomp the Yard,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” “Baywatch,” “The Sopranos,” “The West Wing” and two Tyler Perry shows – will play the production’s lead role of Emile deBecque, according to Dr. Doug Larche, professor of communication and UVI’s playwright-in-residence, who will direct the production.
The ambitious production will be something special for the UVI program, because of the size of the cast – more than 40 actors, singers and dancers, and another 20 technical members of the company – and the fact that it will offer local performers the chance to work with an Emmy Award-winning actor. UVI Theatre will also present the musical at the Reichhold Center for the Arts in November, according to Dr. Larche.
Fans of Greg Alan Williams may already know that he is the voice featured in television commercials produced by the V.I. Department of Tourism.
Dr. Larche said that this will be the fourth time Larche has directed South Pacific. He has dedicated this production to the memory of his son Jason Larche, who once played the part of Emile deBecque. Jason passed away a year ago.
Open auditions for the musical will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at the UVI Little Theatre in the CA Building on the St. Thomas campus. The cast features World War II soldiers, sailors, pilots and nurses, Asian-Pacific Islanders, lots of comedy and two passionate love stories. Open to both the UVI family and the entire V.I. community, university credit is available to students who participate.
The lead roles include the love interest of Emile deBecque, an innocent young female, who must be an excellent singer, dancer and actor; a romantic, male fighter pilot with a beautiful tenor voice; an adult female Asian-Pacific Islander with a golden alto; and a youthful, innocent, female Asian-Pacific Islander. There are a few roles that do not require singing. In addition to lead actors and singers, the production will require rollicking chorus members, costumers, builders and painters, lighting and sound technicians, publicists, hairdressers and makeup artists.
Auditions will continue through Saturday, Sept. 18, on the following schedule: Tuesday – 4-7 p.m.; Wednesday – 7 p.m.; Thursday – 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Friday – noon; Saturday – 10 a.m. Auditions can also be arranged by appointment by calling Dr. Doug Larche at 693-1341 or sending e-mail to dlarche@uvi.edu.
