Try as I might, sometimes prejudging a show is inevitable. Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men is a masterpiece, of course, but it demands actors who project charm, IQ and absolute life-or-death urgency. After numerous casting snags, Olympia Little Theatre was obliged to switch directors for its production of the aforementioned piece. Then an actor who was fired for skipping a dress rehearsal vented unjustified rage all over Facebook. (Klassy with a K, dude.) The "replacement" director, James Patrick, was obliged to act in his own show - seldom a good sign.

So no, I was not expecting greatness.

The first clue I was in for a welcome surprise appeared in Patrick's program note: "Try, if you can, to wipe the image of Jack Nicholson from your mind." I'll defend to the death my belief that, in spite of his honors, Jack Nicholson sucks as the cinematic Jessep. He may as well be wearing a badge that reads "Arrogant A-hole." It's pure hambone meller-drammer, and it's contrary to the point of the character. This script benefits from actors who recognize each character is right from his or her own point of view. Does Sorkin hate the military mindset? Maybe; but he does understand it, and so does Tim Shute in the role at OLT. Red-faced and ramrod, Shute is the very model of a modern major hardass. He plays Lt. Col. Jessup as if he expects to be cheered as the hero, and that's the proper choice. Even better is Terence Artz as LTJG Kaffee - no boyish Tom Cruise, but incredibly loose and natural in terrific scenes with Pamela Arndt's Lt. Cmdr. Galloway. The interplay is, and I'm not using the word loosely, thrilling.

When actors who've never quite dazzled suddenly blow you away, it's a hint you're in for something special. And when actors with very little stage experience grip your attention, it's a credit to impeccable directing. A few blocking quibbles aside, what Patrick and his sizable ensemble accomplish here is overwhelming. Jason Downer brings a frightening fundamentalist conviction to Lt. Kendrick, and Jules Dellinger and Zach Holstine impress as the unfortunate accused. Douglas Lukascik, Ken Schwilk, and Rusty Weaver convey military authority. In fact, there's nary a weak link in the bunch.

I'm often asked whether I like being a critic, and the answer is that it depends on the show. No one likes being the bearer of bad news or hurting the feelings of earnest performers. But it's worth it, by a long shot, for the opportunity to urge you to catch unexpected winners like this one, the best show I saw in a very busy weekend.

A Few Good Men

through May 22, 7:55 p.m., Thursday–Saturday
1:55 p.m. Sunday, $10–$12
Olympia Little Theatre
1925 Miller Ave. NE, Olympia
360.786.9484