STAGE REVIEW : ‘42nd Street’ in Santa Barbara

When Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera opened “42nd Street” in June, the organization was just a kid. But when the show closes next week, Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera will have emerged as--a star.

Well, maybe not a star--civic light operas don’t get that kind of publicity. But the Santa Barbara production of “42nd Street,” the 1980 musical based on the 1933 movie about a chorine’s big break on Broadway, is so crisply executed that it’s easy to get carried away by its spirit.

And there are statistics that support the notion that “42nd Street” is Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera’s big break. The production has broken box-office records at the Lobero Theater, selling out virtually every performance. This is a well-drilled ensemble, directed and choreographed by Jon Engstrom, a member of the original Broadway company. For the extension of the show, which began last week (after a hiatus following the initial five-week run) Engstrom also plays the role of the choreographer.

Sherri Sperling Bannister sparkles as the kid who becomes an overnight sensation. Fred Lehto isn’t as cynical as some of his predecessors in the role of the hard-driving director--this guy really believes in Broadway.

Catherine Dougher and Carol Swarbrick are properly tart-tongued and full-throated as the prima donna and the wisecracking writer, respectively, and Kirby Ward is immensely likable as the company’s fleet-footed leading man.

Robin Wagner’s set comes from the national touring company but a local costumer, Janice Martin, created 300 outfits (with a budget of $35,000). The look is almost as lavish as the original production’s. Except for slight intonation problems early in Act II, Elise Unruh’s musical direction is top-notch.

At 33 E . Canon Perdido, Santa Barbara, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m., through Sept. 10. Tickets: $15.75-$17.25; (805) 963-0761.