In 1943 Rogers & Hammerstein wrote a classic musical, “Oklahoma.” Everyone wondered how they could top it. Well, it took six years, but in 1949 “South Pacific” debuted on Broadway to smash reviews, winning 10 TONYs including Best Musical and a Pulitzer Prize.

The Fountain Hills Theater has blessed us with a revival of this charming musical.

Every song in this production is memorable. Nurse Nellie, played by Karissa Anderson-Self, is the “Cockeyed Optimist,” who falls in love with handsome plantation owner Emile.

Alex Gonzalez, very believable as Emile, does an exceptional rendition of “Some Enchanted Evening.” With the help of zany CB Billis, delightfully portrayed by Matt McDonald, Lt. Cable (Chris Fidler) heads across the water.

He falls in love with Liat, a young Tonkinese, after being convinced to visit the island by Bloody Mary (Dawn LeSueur) whose rendition of “Bali Ha’I” would make any red blooded American boy want to visit.

Love is in the wind until Nellie finds out that Emile has two children from a Tonkinese wife and decides she can’t marry him. Lt Cable also decides he can’t marry Liat and explains to Emile that “You Have to be Carefully Taught” to hate. Lamenting lost love, Emile pours out his broken heart in “This Nearly Was Mine.”

They both agree to take on a dangerous mission that could change the course of the war in the Pacific. At this stage Nellie realizes that love conquers all and waits with the children for his return.

With the assistance of authentic newsreel footage, director Peter J. Hill transforms this small stage into a Polynesian Paradise. Another don’t- miss production that ends Sunday, Sept. 20.