Director/choreographer Amiee Turner said that “My Fair Lady” hasn’t had a run in Rhode Island in 24 years. It was long overdue.

The popular musical of the 1950s, based on George Bernard Shaw’s play, “Pygmalion,” and made into one of the classic movies of all time, is a most welcome opening show for Ocean State Theatre’s third season.

How refreshing it is to hear superior voices sing memorable songs like “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “On the Street Where You Live,” “I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face” and “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly.”

You know the story. Professor of Linguistics Henry Higgins bets his colleague, Colonel Pickering (Todd Berkich), that he can turn a common cockney flower peddler into an elegant, well-spoken lady in six months.

The musical has everything: conflict, romance, humor, pathos and some of the best music ever written for the stage.

Turner has assembled an outstanding cast, led by Jessica Wagner as Eliza Doolittle. Wagner comes to Rhode Island with outstanding credentials and a voice that is perfect for interpreting the Lerner and Lowe classics.

Roger Reed comes to the production with a background playing the naïve suitor, Freddy. His rendition of “On the Street Where You Live” brought down the house.

Richard Costa, a last minute replacement for the role of Henry Higgins, rose to the occasion, making the egocentric character human in spite of his chauvinistic manner. While many of his songs were written within a comfortable range and to be partly spoken, Costa displays a fine singing voice and makes them come alive.

Rhode Island native Peter Tedeschi is great as Alfred P. Doolittle, especially on the humorous ditties, “Get Me to the Church on Time” and “With a Little Bit of Luck,” even though he does look a bit young for the role.

The sets by Clifton Chadick and the gorgeous costumes by Brian Horton add to this very professional production. Lerner and Lowe would have been proud.

In the tradition of “They Don’t Write Them Like They Used To,” Ocean State’s production of “My Fair Lady” recalls the glory days of the Broadway musical.

This is a show not to be missed. It fits perfectly into OSTC’s state-of-the-art theatre, where lighting, sight lines, comfortable seats and acoustics make the experience quite pleasurable.

“My Fair Lady” is at Ocean State Theatre Company, 1245 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick, through Oct. 19. Tickets are $39 to $54, with $30 Rush Tickets available an hour before the performance. Call 921-6800 for reservations.

If you have not been to Warwick’s newest gem, now is the time to discover what you have been missing.