Three Performers Bring Lifetime of Experience to

South Pacific at The Western Stage

Salinas, CA

Have you ever wondered what kind of performer a lifetime of theatre training and experience would produce? If this question has kept you up tossing and turning until the wee hours of the morning, which we know it has, you can find out the answer this holiday season by coming to see The Western Stage’s production of Rodger and Hammerstein’ s powerful World War II musical South Pacific.

Playing on the main stage November 10^th through December 8^th, South Pacific features three performers who have practically been raised on the stage.

Currently an acting student in the Teledramatic Arts program at CSUMB, Nathan Danforth, who plays Lt. Joe Cable in the production, began his career at the age of six as Kurt in The Sound of Music. Although many local theatergoers may recognize him from his performances in Beauty and the Beast at Pac Rep. and Cinderella at the Saltshaker Theatre, few may know he traveled to New York in 2004 to perform at Carnegie Hall. This is no small achievement for someone who is only twenty-one years old.

However, if beginning your acting career at the age of six is impressive, how about taking your first step on stage at the age of three? This is when Sarah J. Wintermeyer, who plays the role of Ensign Nellie Forbush, was first bit with the proverbial theatre bug that eventually led her to earn her degree in acting from the Claire Trevor School of Arts at the University of California, Irvine. Since then she has gone on to perform as Jen in John and Jen, Agnes in Agnes of God, Elizabeth in Catholic School Girls, and Silence in Silence.

Finally, Reina Cabigting, who plays the role of Liat, not only brings a lifetime of training to the production having first appeared on stage at the age of seven, but she also brings an international flavor to the cast with extensive dance training in the Philippines. While a student at the University of the Philippines, she began performing in provinces throughout the nation as part of the UP Filipiniana Dance Group. She has also performed in both Asia an d Europe in various Folkloric Dance Festivals. Now, in addition to working as a Special Education instructor for the Monterey County Office of Education, she has moved on from dance student to dance instructor working as a guest choreographer for Mackatipunan, a Filipino Youth folk dance group based in Salinas, CA.

Together with Monterey County musical legend Reg Huston, who lends his rich baritone voice to the role of Emile de Becque, the diverse talents and experiences of this cast guarantee South Pacific will be one of the most memorable productions of The Western Stage’s 2007 season.

Daniel Tarker, Literary Associate