Child's Play

Currently stationed in the briny depths of Asolo Repertory Theatre is Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “South Pacific.” With sweeping music, romance and humor, the production exhibits Asolo’s penchant for memorable and impactful productions of popular plays and musicals that draw seasoned cast members, designers and directors from America’s theater meccas such as Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City. However, swimming through the sea of out-of-town sailors and nurses onstage, there is a Sarasota native.

Sophia Cavalluzzi, 8, from Sarasota and currently living in Bradenton, stars as Ngana, French planter Emile de Becque’s young daughter. Though a small part, it is an essential role in the musical’s story as well as its staging. Sophia, in fact, opens the entire production. The curtain parts and the houselights rise as Richard Rodgers’ incomparable melody of “Dites-Moi” floats in the air. Then Sophia, along with her co-star Zachary Jones (playing her older brother Jerome), scampers under the bright lights and tropical scenery. The duo stands and proudly exchanges verses of the French nursery rhyme. Calm, confident and collected, Sophia performs like a stage performer three times her age. It comes as a surprise that this is, in fact, her maiden voyage on stage.

Like a lot of young performers, Sophia discovered and developed her vocal chops in church.

“When I was in pre-kindergarten, we sang a lot and my teacher wanted me to sing,” says Sophia. “So, I started to sing in church.”

At St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Bradenton, Sophia started singing, which served as an extension of her vocal personality.

“She’ll definitely tell you what she’s thinking,” says Haily Cavalluzzi, Sophia’s mother. “And whatever she adopts and becomes passionate about, she’ll go after.”

Through her time singing at school, church and voice lessons, Sophia and her family learned that Asolo Rep was holding open auditions for children’s roles in “South Pacific.” Auditions can be nerve-wracking for even the most seasoned professionals. But Sophia was unfazed. According to her mother, she was calm in the moment and performed with unabashed excitement. That combination of childlike enthusiasm when performing but maintaining professional airs impressed the creative team, her fellow cast members and audiences.

“I just really like doing this,” says Sophia. “I don’t know if I’ll act again, but it’s fun.”

As she heads to her costume and makeup calls, Sophia nonchalantly hugs her mom, gives her a kiss on the cheek and says goodbye.

“She’s never like this at home and school,” says Haily Cavalluzzi. “She usually, you know, acts like a kid.”

IF YOU GO 
‘South Pacific’
When: Runs through Dec. 28
Where: Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
Cost: $34 to $72
Info: Call 351-8000 or visit asolorep.org.