The musical “South Pacific,” directed by Matthew Winning, assistant professor of theater arts, will open on Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. in Culbertson Auditorium in Spencer Hall. This family-friendly comedy, with music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, will run through Oct. 19.

Tickets began selling Oct. 1 and are available at the box office Monday through Friday from 1–5 p.m. Tickets may also be reserved by calling 620-278-4279. The box office will open at 7 p.m. on performance nights, and doors will open at 7:30 p.m. All seating is reserved. Adult ticket prices are $8 in advance or $10 at the box office on performance nights. Tickets are $5 for children, students and senior citizens.

“South Pacific” was adapted from the Pulitzer Prize winning novel “Tales of the South Pacific,” written by James A. Michener in 1947. “South Pacific” tells two love stories: the story of Nellie Forbush and Emile de Beque, and the story of Lieutenant Joe Cable and Liat, a Tonkinese girl. Through following both love stories, “South Pacific” explores the idea of racial prejudice as each character struggles with loving across cultures.

The cast of “South Pacific” includes Chloe Vierra of Lyons, Kan., as Nellie Forbush; Taylor Fair of Sterling, Kan., as Emile de Beque; Jordan Himes of Eureka, Kan., as Liat; Carlton Ryker of Wichita, Kan., as Lt. Joe Cable; Raven Taylor of Wichita, Kan., as Bloody Mary; Chelsey Moore of Wichita, Kan., as Dinah Murphey; Ryan Ehresman of Wichita, Kan., as Luther Billis; Cody Martin of Hutchinson, Kan., as Capt. Brackett; Brandon Hoesli of Salina, Kan., as Cmdr. Harbison; Taylor Stucky of Pretty Prairie, Kan., as Henry; Travis Norton of Liberal, Kan., as Stewpot; Shane Rogers of Wichita, Kan., as the professor; Cody Meins of Canon City, Colo., as Quale and McCaffrey; Josh Williams of Monticello, Ark., as the shore patrolman; Phil Taylor of Norco, Calif., as Lt. Buzz Adams and the Marine; Kyle Vierra of Lyons, Kan., as the sailor; Elijah Klein of Valley Center, Kan., as O’Brien; Abbey Pickering of Clearwater, Kan., as the lead nurse; Darsha Bechard of Wichita, Kan., Kayla Van Nover of Wichita, Kan., Brenna Swisher of Overbrook, Kan., Deni Brummer of Hutchinson, Kan., Jamie Fitzgerald of Liberal, Kan., Ashli Bell of Sterling, Kan., and Suz Melton of Smithville, Miss., as nurses, islanders and French women; and Kevin Megginson of Norco, Calif., Gary Harley of Garden City, Kan., and Marshall Carter of Ensign, Kan., as Marines, sailors, SeaBees, islanders and pilots.

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kan., with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.