Bali Ha'i may call you, any night, any day …

That's right. This song is so hauntingly beautiful I haven't been able to get it out of my head since the June 23 dress rehearsal for the imminent production “South Pacific” at the Boothbay Playhouse.

The Playhouse's season opener is an interesting choice: it's historical, spicy and controversial.

Rogers and Hammerstein bravely brought the issue of racial prejudice to audiences beginning in 1949. Both of the love stories in this musical, set during World War II, involve this issue that still exists today.

Plantation owner Emile De Becque (John David Adams) falls for Navy nurse Nellie Forbush (Devin Dukes) of Little Rock, Arkansas, and she for him. He eventually proposes marriage. She eventually accepts. But, when Nellie discovers that the two Polynesian children (Della Hahn and Trey Tibbets) living with Emile are his, through his marriage to a Polynesian woman, she decides she cannot marry him.

When Bloody Mary (Emily Mirabile) of Tonkinese descent, meets Lieutenant Cable (Landon Sholar) who has been sent to the island to participate in a dangerous spy mission, she decides he will be her daughter Liat's (Avery Ecker) husband. On Bali Ha'i, where Bloody Mary introduces the two, there is an immediate attraction – and desire. The two make love upon meeting (another layer of controversial behavior) and are smitten. Unfortunately, contained in a letter from Cable's family in Philadelphia, he is informed that his love affair can be nothing more than that. He cannot possibly marry Liat.

When Cable tells Liat and her mother this, as gently as possible, Bloody Mary is enraged and Liat devastated.

Just in case there are other theater lovers who have not seen this musical (yes, I was one of them), I won't divulge what happens with the lovers.

Emile, confounded by Nellie's reaction and the existence of prejudice, confides in Cable. This leads into one of the show's most moving songs, “You've Got To Be Carefully Taught.” Sholar's tenor voice adds just the right touch of feeling to this song that is preceded by the line, “... racism is not born in you, it happens after you're born.”

The scenes in Capt. Brackett's (George Bishop) office are where most of the war-related scenes take place. It is where Emile is asked to assist in the spy mission Lt. Cable was brought to the island for. That mission, a prelude to Operation Alligator: to land on an island the Japanese had taken control of and report on the movements of their war ships.

Like all musicals, this show, too, has lighter moments, interspersed between the complicated love stories and events occurring during the war.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: when it comes to ensemble song and dance, no one does it better than the casts at the Playhouse. Mirabile, Emily that is, choreographed the show to perfection. The ensemble cast, aka, nurses and sailors, are tight, professional and a delight to watch. Particular highlights for me: “There Ain't Nothing Like A Dame,” - the sailors really belt this one out and are outstanding; and “Honey Bun” during the Thanksgiving Follies – watch out for your funny bone, you might lose it when Nick Mirabile (Luther Billis) takes the stage!

Adams' baritone voice is full of emotion as he delivers “This Nearly Was Mine,” and makes “Some Enchanted Evening” well, some enchanted evening! Mirabile's “Bali Ha'i” is pitch perfect in every way, and Dukes, a soprano, manages to keep her Arkansas accent even when she is singing.

The lead roles for this show were perfectly cast by Director/Music Director Ginny Bishop and shine brightly every moment they are on stage. The show also stars Joe McGrann, Kelly Sherwood, Jake Duvall-Early, Donna Griffin, Dean Domeyer and Roosevelt Bishop.

The ensemble nurses and sailors are Nick Azzaretti, Emily Barker, Jane Bertelsen, Ben Betts, Joel Biron, Michael Burrell, Ben Dewey, Tom Dewey, Dean Domeyer, Devin Domeyer, Gretchen Elder, Hannah Elder, Taylor Fish, Nate Friant, Rick Hilscher, Bill Holcomb, Caroline Hunt, Margaret Kelsey, Kelsey Krull, Sandy Larsen, Jay Lewis, Riley McCurdy, Chris Reynolds, Genevieve Taylor, Sophia Thayer and Noelle Timberlake. Courtney Chaney is also in the cast, but was not at the June 23 rehearsal.

The sets, are designed and painted by Susan Domeyer, and they are fabulous. As always. The details - from the filtered sunlight to the moonlight playing on the waters surrounding Bali Ha'i, to the plants and brick at Emile's hillside home … fabulous. Susan was also the costumer for the show.

Early in the first act, Emile recalls being told not to “let anything good pass by.” Wise words easily applied to this Boothbay Playhouse production.

“South Pacific” opens Thursday, June 26, curtain at 8 p.m. The rest of the show's run: June 27, 28, July 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12 at 8 p.m. Matinee Sunday, July 6 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $23 for adults and $19 for children 17 years old or younger. Tickets can be purchased at the Boothbay Playhouse box office or by calling 207-633-3379.

The Boothbay Playhouse is located at 275 Wiscasset Road in Boothbay.

Bali Ha'i is calling ...