A small island in the middle of nowhere with nothing but big decisions on the horizon.
That's the heart of "South Pacific," the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein classic back on Broadway after more than 50 years in a stunning revival at Lincoln Center.
What makes this impeccably acted and designed production so extraordinary is Bartlett Sher's meticulous and dramatic direction.
The physical production is created on a grand scale. The stage of the Vivian Beaumont boasts not only a breathtaking Pacific panorama, but at times a huge spinning flatbed truck, a flashy war-room, even a World War II fighter plane.
Against that Cinemascopic grandeur, performances are on a human scale. The show is filled with fantastic and familiar songs that are presented here like musical conversation, making them sound fresh and exciting. Characters are played with such intimacy you practically hear hearts flutter as people fall in love.
Written by Joshua Logan with Hammerstein, based on James Michener's short stories, the tale is simple: During World War II, two pairs of lovers are ripped apart by racism, a plotline ahead of its time 59 years ago and still relevant today. The main couple is Arkansas Navy nurse Nellie Forbush (Kelli O'Hara) and middle-aged French planter Emile de Becque (Paulo Szot). The other is all-American Lt. Joe Cable (Matthew Morrison) and local island girl Liat (Li Jun Li).
O'Hara is just plain wonderful in the role originated by Mary Martin. She brings small-town warmth, and her singing is so soaring you tingle during "A Wonderful Guy." Her version of "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" bubbles with high spirits and sass.
Szot, a Brazilian opera star making his Broadway debut, is handsome, with a rich baritone ideal for de Becque. His version of "This Nearly Was Mine" thrills.
As the Polynesian peddler Bloody Mary, Hawaiian actress Loretta Ables Sayre is the find of the season, completely convincing and hilarious. Danny Burstein brings rowdy good fun to scheming seaman Luther Billis, while Morrison, as always, delivers a strong performance. Though she rarely speaks, the delicate Li makes a lovely impression. The fleet of nurses and Seabees buzzes with energy and talent.
Sher has reinstated "My Girl Back Home," a duet cut from the Broadway original, which neatly ties Joe and Nellie's stories. It's a simple and magical number shrewdly staged near dozens of road signs - a neat comment on feeling adrift far, far from home. Such consummate care and eye for detail pervades this production, even the scene changes.
Designers Michael Yeargan (sets), Catherine Zuber (costumes) and Donald Holder (lights) deserve enthusiastic applause for their contributions, and so do musical director Ted Sperling and choreographer Christopher Gattelli.
And it's fitting that the fantastic 30-member orchestra gets a special salute.
Sher ("The Light in the Piazza" and "Awake and Sing!") is quickly earning a reputation for couture theater. His spring '08 creation is top of the line.
jdziemianowicz@nydailynews.com
