STAGE REVIEWS : ‘HAPPY NEW YEAR’

Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse’s production of the musical “Happy New Year” is brash and pretty to look at, but it has too little regard for the stylistic nuances of this paean to the upper class of the 1930s.

Unfortunately, a number of the problems can be laid to the script, a rather crude attempt by Burt Shevelove to improve upon the charming perfection of “Holiday,” Philip Barry’s sly look at the very rich. Shevelove has attempted to graft several Cole Porter numbers onto the story of a successful young financier whose unconventional ideas clash with the money-first-last-and-always thinking of an upper-crust Manhattan family when he becomes engaged to one of the daughters. (As it develops, however, he discovers that his first love is a self-centered snob and that her bohemian sister is much more attractive.) The result is something unwieldy indeed; the Porter songs often only slow the show’s momentum--they do little to further the plot or enhance the character development.

Director Pati Tambellini has taken a broad, fairy-tale approach, which results in a show that, although nicely paced, shows little feeling for the spirit of Barry’s characters and little sensitivity for their problems. None of the people here become more than a cartoon figure, and without believable characters, the musical loses much of its humor--and much of its heart.

Dana Marie Hanstein is spirited as the rebel who is dismayed to find that she is falling in love with her sister’s fiance, but the character often comes off as merely petulant, since we never really understand her motivation. Oddly, Alexandria Mandarino, as the snobbish sister who is supposed to be the villain of the piece, creates the more appealing character (and her rendition of “I Am Love” is delightfully conceited). Robin Bullington cuts an unprepossessing figure as the financier--he doesn’t quite suggest the romantic, charming eccentricity of the character.

The cast, under the musical direction of Sharon Aguilera, does a pleasing job with the Porter songs. The set, done in old-movie black and white, and the costumes give the production an attractive period look.

“Happy New Year” continues through May 10 at Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse, 661 Hamilton St., Costa Mesa. For information, call (714) 650-5269.