Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1949 masterpiece South Pacific (based on James Michener's Tales of the South Pacific) unfolds on the fictional island of Bali Ha'i during WWII. Its characters grapple with love, prejudice, and war across cultural divides.
French planter, middle-aged, wealthy, cultured. Falls for Nellie. Haunted by a past killing (self-defense) that forced him from France. Proud, principled, struggles with Nellie's ingrained racism. Bass-baritone. "Some Enchanted Evening," "This Nearly Was Mine."
Young, optimistic Navy nurse from Little Rock, Arkansas. Open-hearted but initially blinded by Southern racial conditioning. Rejects Emile when she learns his children are Polynesian; later confronts her prejudice. Soprano. "A Cockeyed Optimist," "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair," "Honey Bun."
Idealistic, privileged Princeton grad. Falls for Liat (Bloody Mary's daughter). Paralyzed by the same racism he intellectually opposes—refuses to marry her ("You've Got to Be Carefully Taught"). Dies on a reconnaissance mission. Tenor. "Younger Than Springtime."
Tonkinese (Vietnamese) entrepreneur, matriarch, shrewd trader. Speaks pidgin English. Sells grass skirts, shrunken heads, and "Bali Ha'i" dreams to sailors. Pushes Liat toward Cable for security. Fierce, pragmatic, deeply human. Alto. "Bali Ha'i," "Happy Talk."
Scheming, entrepreneurial Seabee (CB). Runs laundry, liquor still, and "Bali Ha'i" boat tours. Comic relief but reveals loneliness and fear. Baritone. "There Is Nothing Like a Dame."
Bloody Mary's daughter—beautiful, silent, observant. Loves Cable; her future hinges on his choice. Symbol of the mixed-race children of the Pacific.
The show's power lies in these flawed, recognizable humans confronting "carefully taught" prejudice amid the beauty and brutality of war.