THEATER REVIEW:

Both Stephen Sondheim and Woody Allen have used Ingmar Bergman’s movie “Smiles of a Summer Night” to enrich their own repertoires. Allen’s take on the story, you may recall, resulted in “A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy.”

But it’s the Sondheim version we’re concerned with here. Long absent from local stages, “A Little Night Music” not only is the current attraction at the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse, it’ll lead off South Coast Repertory’s next season in September.

Set, as was its predecessor, in Sweden at the turn of the 20th century, “Night Music” is a delightful — if somewhat overly detailed — piece of romantic fluff intended to demonstrate what fools we mortals are when the heart is involved. Hugh Wheeler’s cotton-candy plot is reinforced by Sondheim’s infectious score, resulting in a beautifully mannered vintage comedy, occasionally spiced by farcical situations.

At the playhouse, director Jason Holland and musical director Stephen Hulsey (who doubles as the braggart military officer) have created an eminently enjoyable production, enhanced by Ginger Johnson’s delicate choreography. The frosting on this appetizing cake is provided by Ryan Holihan’s elegant period costumes, turned out by no fewer than 10 specialists in “costume construction.”

Although things get off to a slow start — as the show emphasizes atmosphere at the expense of plot — by intermission the wheels are set in motion for a rollicking second act in which the various lovers and would-be lovers are thrust together for “A Weekend in the Country,” the second-best song in the show. The best? A little reminiscence called “Send in the Clowns,” which probably is Sondheim’s most popular number of all time.

The story focuses on a middle-aged lawyer (Marc Montminy) who has taken a young wife (Megan Burns) — though “taken” may be a poor choice of words. The lass remains as chaste as the day she was born, a constant frustration to her husband, as well as to his seminarian son (Jaycob Hunter), who’s much closer to her age.

Help is on the way, though, in the form of a glamorous actress and notorious man trap (Elizabeth A. Bouton), whose current lover — Hulsey’s character — has a not-particularly-understanding wife (Rachel Pfeifer Green) simmering at home. She and Hulsey crash the “weekend in the country” soiree at the estate of Bouton’s elderly mother (Tisha Bellantuoni) and young daughter (Cynthia Price) where, predictably, all hell breaks loose.

Montminy achieves the proper balance between nobility and notoriety in a splendid performance, while Burns (who may be getting typecast; her last role was that of the equally virginal Philia in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” on the same stage) blossoms as the vacuous bride. Hunter’s angst-ridden portrayal is also quite rewarding.

The elegant Bouton, every inch a great lady of the stage, prowls with wit and irony, hitting her zenith in a beautifully understated rendition of the aforementioned “Send in the Clowns.” Hulsey rages convincingly as the callow dragoon, while Green is equally effective as his scheming spouse (her role will be played Saturday and Sunday by Alison Mattiza).

The eldest and youngest characters also shine as Bellantuoni imparts her life’s lessons to her granddaughter, Price, a treasure of youthful charm. Any scenes left unstolen are effectively snared by Montica Reeves as the lusty chambermaid.

Bolstering the musicality of the show is a quintet of chorus members, dubbed the Liebeslieders and dressed to the nines, who are given character names, even though they’re never used. Jon Sparks, Dawn Veree Marshall, Araceli Applegate, David A. Blair and Emily Price enhance the production without actually participating in it.

Daniel Perezvertti’s elaborate setting provides an attractive backdrop, and his lighting designs also impress. Pianist Akari Banna conducts a string quartet that beautifully renders the Sondheim score.

“A Little Night Music” is an ambitious undertaking for a small community theater group, and the rewards of extra effort are splendidly displayed at the Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “A Little Night Music”

WHERE: Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse, 611 Hamilton St., Costa Mesa

WHEN: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays through June 3

COST: $15 to $25

CALL: (949) 650-5269