Its Broadway debut in 1949 won 10 Tony Awards, and it was honored with the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950. Its 2008 revival picked up seven Tonys.

For 60 years, the Rogers and Hammerstein hit "South Pacific" has won fans with its tremendous score and tales of war, prejudice and love.

In "South Pacific," set in an island paradise during World War II, two love stories are threatened by prejudice and war. Ensign Nellie Forbush, a nurse from Arkansas, portrayed on the Orangeburg Part-Time Players' stage by Karen Curtis, falls in love with Emile de Becque, a French planter, played by the Rev. Frank Larisey.

When Nellie learns that the mother of his children was an island native, prejudice leads her to refuse Emile's marriage proposal.

Meanwhile, Lt. Joseph "Joe" Cable (Taylor McKeowen) denies himself a future with an innocent Tonkinese girl, Liat (Carly Harward), with whom he's fallen in love, out of the same fears. But when Emile accompanies Joe on a mission that claims Joe's life, Nellie realizes that life is too short not to seize her own chance for happiness.

Larisey, rector of Orangeburg's Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, said there is much in the show that will resonate with theatergoers, including the scene in which Nellie finds out about Emile's past and his children.

"The issue of racial conflict and prejudice is an issue that everyone in the U.S. encounters," he said. "I think that will grab people."

Also, because "South Pacific" is set during World War II, Larisey said there are parallels between the driving action in the play and the United States' current military endeavors.

"I believe we are fighting for a just cause, fighting to make sure what happened with 9/11 doesn't happen again," he said. "Plus, it's a love story, and love stories always resonate with people."

"I used to listen to my father walking around the house, singing, 'Some Enchanted Evening.' My mother had the whole book of 'South Pacific' songs at home ... (and) was a wonderful pianist," Larisey said. "I grew up hearing this stuff. It's a great show."

Curtis, who plays the naive nurse, said her character proves that racism can be found in all sorts of individuals.

"The shift in my character, when her prejudice comes out, it's a big break in the show and a major theme in the show -- blatant prejudice even in someone so upbeat and kind," she said. "I would hope (the audience) would look at it as some sort of period piece and look at how far we have come."

Curtis said "South Pacific" is one of the first shows she ever performed. Growing up as a military kid, Curtis said she's right at home with the show's exploration of military life and experiences and its use of lingo.

She said when she first did "South Pacific," her mother thought she should have been Nellie. Instead, Curtis was cast as a nurse.

"She's had to wait a long time," she said. "It's the biggest role I've ever had, hands down, and a pretty big emotional range."

Both leads have put in extra time trying to make their characters as believable as possible.

"I've worked with a professor within my parish who teaches French, trying to mimic ... a Frenchman speaking English probably taught to him by someone who's British, getting the French right ... but not going so far with the French accent that it's not understandable," said Larisey, adding that his parishioners have been very understanding and generous with his time for the show.

Curtis, meanwhile, has spent time researching and studying the Navy Nurses Corps.

"I don't want her to be a caricature," she said of her character.

Director Michael Crawford said the group is well on its way to a wonderful production.

"It has surprisingly come together," he said. "People don't realize how much work this is. ... We have a lot of new people in the cast in this show and that's wonderful. I'm excited about that."

One of those newcomers is 18-year-old McKeowen, who said while he has performed in several Calhoun Players' productions, this is his first show with the OPTP.

"It's probably one of the most serious roles I've played," he said. "I've had to learn how to act as a military man, stern, forceful. It's been great, just expanding on my acting experience.

"I've had a blast so far and am looking forward to the final product."

Zach Parker, 15, is also counting "South Pacific" as his premiere on the OPTP stage. He will be playing Marine Cpl. Hamilton Steeves in the show.

"It's definitely something I'll remember," he said. "It's a great show."

"They have had so much fun doing this," Crawford said. "If we can keep that energy level up, it is going to overflow to the audience. It has just been the most wonderful cast to work with."

OPTP President Daryl Cate, who's portraying comedic American sailor Luther Billis in the production, said what the audience will pick up most from the show is the fact that "love knows no boundaries."

"That, to me, really is what this show is about, and how even though we are making light of the military and war situation, that's how a lot of people survive and deal with tough circumstances," he said.

Crawford said "South Pacific" is a show that will appeal to everyone, young and old.

"The theme of the show is dealing with prejudice. It's still relevant because it's an issue that has to be dealt with even today, and it's done in a way that it's not offensive in any way, shape or form," he said. "It's just a fun show.

"That's the kind of thing people need to come to experience, to come and not worry about anything, just have fun."

For more information or tickets, call Crawford at 803-536-9821 or the BlueBird Theatre at 803-536-5454.

T&D Features Editor Wendy Jeffcoat Crider can be reached by e-mail at wjeffcoat@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5546. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

The Orangeburg Part-Time Players will stage "South Pacific" at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 13-14 and 20-21, and 3 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 15 and 22. Tickets for the show, directed by Michael Crawford with musical direction by Kay Crawford, are $15 for children 16 years of age and younger and seniors 55 and older, and $17 for adults.

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