JANUARY 1977. “South Pacific.” French Quarter Dinner Theatre at the Safari Hotel, Scottsdale. Director: Larry Liff.

Despite an impressive cast by French Quarter standards  –  John Clegg, stepping away from his conductor’s podium at Phoenix Little Theatre; Cecilia Allen, one of the busiest of the Valley’s sopranos; Randy Post, a popular supporting actor, and Sylvia Godfrey, an ace comedienne  –  backed by one of the top director-choreographer combinations (Larry Liff and his wife, Carolyn), this production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic failed to impress the Scottsdale Progress‘ critic, Paul Perry. Only Sylvia walked away with any honors.