As this year's Wagon Wheel Theatre summer season continues, there's one thought that keeps coming back to me.

Regardless of the play, this year's acting company is truly an amazing professional bunch.

And when you put this mesmerizing troupe into a truly American play such as "South Pacific," throw in some detailed scenery, put the actors in the appropriate garb and let director Roy Hine have his way with it - sit back and prepare yourself for a treat.

Set on two islands in the Pacific during World War II, the story builds around two primary relationships. First, there's the romantic relationship between Navy nurse Ensign Nellie Forbush (Jennifer Dow) from Little Rock, Ark., and the older French planter, Emile de Becque (Robert Joseph Miller). A second love pairing involves Lt. Joseph Cable (Jeremy D. Cohen) and young native girl Liat (Vivian Chiu).

Adding to the mix and story are the screwball Luther Billis (Joe Schenck) - who is always trying to make a quick buck - and the domineering native Bloody Mary (Jaii Beckley) who is continuously planning and scheming. Both help give layers to "South Pacific."

"South Pacific" opens with two children, Ngana (Alexis Laureano) and Jerome (J.C. Aguilar), daughter and son of Emile de Becque, dancing and singing "Dites-Moi Pourquoi." Laureano and Aguilar are local children who attend Harrison and Sacred Heart schools, respectively. After being shooed off by Henry (Ken Holda), a member of de Becque's house staff, Nellie and Emile take to the scene. From the first words Emile utters to the last scene, Miller manages to keep his required French accent throughout most of the play. I never would have thought to put Dow and Miller together as a romantic pair, but the two have some strong chemistry that more than works for "South Pacific."

Of course, if there's a fan club for Dow, I probably should be signed up. From her performance in last Christmas' "Meet Me in St. Louis" to her role as Nellie in "South Pacific," she shines in her craft in each and every play she's in, and just when you've thought you've seen her at her best, she goes one step further. Listen to her sing. Watch her face as she goes through various highs and lows of human emotions.

And when her character Nellie is singing "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair" with the nurses, Dow and the group are having so much fun, the audience will have a blast right along with them. Twenty-four hours after watching "South Pacific," I'm still humming that song.

Miller proves in "South Pacific" that an older man can be just as much of a romantic lead as a younger man. Here, he gives the younger actors in the ensemble a run for their money.

Speaking of romantic leads, Jeremy Cohen finally gets a part that showcases more of his talent for the local audience. As Lt. Joseph Cable, Cohen gets to sing and act in ways he's previously only hinted at. Cohen brings a strong sense of masculinity to "South Pacific," but even his character, as brawny as he is, falls prey to love when he meets the young but tantalizing Liat. Cohen has a talent reminiscent of the actors of the Golden Age of movies.

If Cable, as played by Cohen, is a representation of the reserved male, then Luther Billis, as played by Schenck, is the direct opposite, the care-free jokester. This is truly the first play of this season in which Schenck really grabbed my attention. I love him in this role and I can't imagine anyone else playing it. When Schenck and Dow perform "Honeybun" in Act II, it's an uproariously good time, but Schenck in Hawaiian drag is worth the price of admission.

Enchanting, even more than the song "Some Enchanted Evening," is Jaii Beckley's undeniably exceptional performance as the mercenary native Bloody Mary. When Beckley sings the exotic "Bali Ha'I," the audience will be entranced, like the Seabees, closely listening to every word she sings, watching every move she makes.

Beckley, along with Vivian Chiu as Liat, are new to the Wagon Wheel. Originally from Australia, Beckley's musical theater work has taken her from Australia to China and Thailand and now to the United States. While she's here at the WWT, go see "South Pacific" so you get a chance to see and hear this talented woman. Convincing just isn't a strong enough word for Beckley's performance.

Chiu looks very young and very beautiful, so when Lt. Cable falls madly in love with her, it's understandable. She doesn't say much in the play, but Liat's love for Cable is evident nevertheless. Chiu, despite her very youthful appearance, received her master's degree in theater from Northwestern University in June.

Of course, while the leads kept me spellbound, all of the supporting cast, from Ken Holda as Stewpot to the islanders, sailors, nurses, marines and Seabees, help make WWT's production of "South Pacific" an engaging good time.

And as far as the music goes, the orchestra definitely deserves some recognition for its fine performance.

Helping to transport the audience to the South Pacific is the lush scenery. Palm trees, ponds of actual water and other greenery remind audiences that they're not in Indiana anymore. It's simple enough not to clutter but decorative enough to bring about a little piece of paradise.

My only problem with "South Pacific" is that there is an underlying message of how wrong racism is, but that almost seems downplayed as a second thought. Meanwhile, Act II seems almost hurried to get all the songs in within the allotted time.

But I still enjoyed the production, and audiences will, too.

For tickets to "South Pacific" or any other event at WWT, call 267-8041, toll free 866-823-2618 or visit online at www.wagonwheeltheatre.com

Next on the round stage is "Promises, Promises," with WWT favorite Rod Thomas. [[In-content Ad]]