The story centers around the relationship of two unlikely lovers on a south Pacific island during the Second World War-- U.S. Navy nurse Ensign Nellie Forbush from Arkansas, and middle-aged French plantation owner, Emile de Becque, who has been self-exiled from his native France for several years. The plot follows their ups and downs as they try to develop their relationship in the midst of eminent war and some prejudices regarding the Polynesian inhabitants in the area.

Meanwhile, the Navy Brass on the island, eager to get into a fighting war, devise a plan to place a Marine observer on a nearby island to oversee the activities of passing Japanese fleets. The Brass ask de Becque to lead the marine to the best lookouts. But he turns them down, simply because he doesn't want to jeopardize his relationship with Nellie, when the chance of true love has finally come to him.

While the plot unfolds, there are other comedic stories as the local sailors lament the lack of women in their lives, while making shrewd deals with local opportunist Bloody Mary, a woman who has a knack for making money any way she can-- always illegally.

With a cast of 22, there are lots of characters on stage, but some stand out more than others. Leading the cast are Mark Llewellyn and Cheyenne Harvey, as de Becque and Nellie. The duo are well cast, meshing nicely, complimenting the show as they play out their dilemma, forging their relationship.

Both have great singing voices, and their rendition of Some Enchanted Evening is one of the highlights of the show.

The boisterous Bloody Mary is played by Nanci McNeil-Llewellyn, giving a sometimes overly rowdy portrayal of the character, but still contributing lots of character and laughs. Opposite McNeil-Llewellyn is Robert Woodcock, playing the entrepreneurial sailor Luther Billis. Together, the two give the show lots of comic relief as they bicker and deal back and forth incessantly.

Woodcock is also brilliant as he leads his band of disheveled sailors in There is Nothing Like a Dame, one of the many great Rogers and Hammerstein compositions the musical is famous for.

Gregg Shanks plays Marine Lieutenant Joe Cable, who puts his life on the line to spy on the Japanese fleets. Shanks gives a solid performance as the young marine. Paul d'Entremont and John Wallace take the parts of Capt. George Brackett and Cmdr. Bill Harbison. The two work well as somewhat inept officers longing for a chance to fight this war, instead of being stationed on an island as observers.

Perhaps the two cast members who capture the hearts of the entire audience are Emma Holt and Jaden Carmichael, who play de Becque's Polynesian children Ngana and Jerome. The two open the show singing a little French song, Dites-Moi.

Costumes were representative of wartime uniforms but the set was somewhat spartan. Lighting cues were off at times, but could well be attributed to opening night jitters.

Although the show couldn't be called one of Globe's best by far, it still entertains. Their production of old familiar songs like Bali Ha'i, Gonna Wash that Man Right Outa My Hair and A Wonderful Guy, make the show well worthwhile seeing.

South Pacific continues its run this week.