David Pittsinger, the renowned American bass who will be singing Méphistophélès in Faust with Madison Opera in May, is currently starring as the French plantation owner Emile de Becque in Rodger and Hammerstein’s South Pacific at the Vivian Beaumont Theater on Broadway. Pittsinger replaced fellow opera star Paulo Szot in the role on Dec. 2 and will stay with the show until Jan. 27. He’ll return to the Great White Way again from Mar. 12 – Apr. 12, before coming to Madison. Pittsigner is singing opposite Broadway megastar Kelli O’Hara in this new Bartlett Sher production, which garnered 7 Tony Awards last year, including Best Revival of a Musical. My grandmother recently attended the new South Pacific and said it was a highlight of her theater-going life, it was so magnificent (high-praise, considering she saw the original production when it opened on Broadway!).

Read more on Pittsinger at Playbill and BroadwayWorld. Click here for your Faust tickets.

Pittsinger with co-star Kelli O’Hara in South Pacific

*Photos (c) Joan Marcus

UPDATE (Friday, July 24, 5:00 p.m.):

Tonight’s rehearsal has been moved indoors to the Wisconsin Studio in the Overture Center at 7 pm.