Described as timeless and powerful, “South Pacific” is coming to the Boothbay Playhouse stage June 26 through July 12. From the hauntingly beautiful first three notes of “Bali Hai” to the romance of “Some Enchanted Evening,” it's no surprise that this Rodgers and Hammerstein favorite is one of the greatest Broadway musicals of all time.

Set in a tropical island paradise during World War II, it tells the sweeping saga of two parallel love stories that are threatened by the realities of war and prejudice. At the forefront is the romance between Nellie Forbush, a naïve young nurse from Arkansas, and Emile de Becque, a Frenchman with controversial secrets in his past. Interwoven with their story is that of Lieutenant Joe Cable from Philadelphia and the young Liat, a native Tonkenese girl with whom he falls in love.

“South Pacific” transports audiences back to the 1940s, to a time when young men and women were faced with war and an uncertain future, along with their own inner conflicts. Despite some serious themes, it is a show that has been delighting audiences all over the world for decades, with its hit songs: “There Ain’t Nothin’ Like a Dame,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair,” “I’m in Love With a Wonderful Guy,” “Happy Talk” and, of course, “Some Enchanted Evening.”

The Boothbay Playhouse production features a cast of 41 led by Devin Dukes as Nellie the “cock-eyed optimist” Forbush and John Adams as Emile de Becque.

The show also stars Emily Mirabile (Bloody Mary), Landon Sholar (Lieutenant Cable), Nick Mirabile (Luther Billis), Avery Ecker (Liat), Joe McGrann (Cmdr. Harbison), George Bishop (Capt. Brackett), and Kelly Sherwood (the housekeeper).

Two children's roles are played by Della Hahn (Ngana) and Trey Tibbetts (Jerome).

The sailors and nurses are played by Nick Azzaretti, Emily Barker, Soren Barker, Jane Bertelsen, Ben Betts, Joel Biron, Robo Bishop, Michael Burrell, Courtney Chaney, Ben Dewey, Tom Dewey, Dean Domeyer, Devin Domeyer, Jake Duvall-Early, Gretchen Elder, Hannah Elder, Taylor Fish, Nate Friant, Donna Griffin, 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.

Shows are June 26, 27, 28 and July 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12 at 8 p.m. with a matinee Sunday, July 6 at 4. Tickets are $23 for adults and $19 for children 17 years old or younger. Tickets can be purchased at the Boothbay Playhouse box office at 275 Wiscasset Road/Route 27 or by calling 207-633-3379.