Enter Daniel

After 416 performances as the love-struck French planter in South Pacific, Basso Ezio Pinza reluctantly left the cast last week to begin a threeyear, $1,000,000 contract in Hollywood. For star and company, the emotion of the moment was almost too much. When the cast gathered backstage after the final curtain call, to toast him in champagne and to chorus, I'm in Love With a Wonderful Guy, Pinza burst into tears, declared: "This is one of the saddest moments of my life."

To handsome, greying Ray (Annie Get Your Gun) Middleton, 42, went the tough job of replacing 58-year-old Pinza, whose rich voice and spirited stage romancing had caused a nationwide sensation. Middleton, a reliable actor but obviously less colorful than his dynamic predecessor, had been chosen for the part as far back as last August. He had spent seven months polishing his baritone into shape and toning down his Midwest consonants with a Parisian accent. His past success with Producer Josh Logan gave him "some reason to be optimistic," but on opening night when he stepped into the role opposite Mary Martin, it was like "Daniel going into the lion's den."

Audiences last week were applauding Baritone Middleton enthusiastically. South Pacific, from all indications, was still a great show.

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