STAGE REVIEW : Grappling With Libidos : The Newport Theatre Arts Center cast, directed by D. Jay Bradley, often struggles with Sondheim’s score for ‘A Little Night Music.’

At the Newport Theatre Arts Center, “A Little Night Music” has a pretty face: Gil Morales’ sets are airy and romantic, and Dan McWest’s costumes, fetching but not overly bright, complement the environment nicely.

The acting too was colorful at Saturday night’s performance. But the cast, directed by D. Jay Bradley, often struggled with Stephen Sondheim’s score, a relatively challenging collection of songs in three-quarter time.

“A Little Night Music,” inspired by the Ingmar Bergman film “Smiles of a Summer Night,” offers a humorous take on love and lust.

Just about all its characters have to grapple with annoying libidos while attempting to nurture feelings of a more “pure” nature.

Everything comes to a head during a weekend in the country. Middle-aged Fredrick (Jim Rule) is married to lovely, naive Anne (CeCe Moore) but longs for the experienced Desiree (Mary Tuck), an old flame.

She has taken the vainglorious Count Malcolm (Jeff Paul) as a lover. He, in turn, has a witty, vindictive wife (scene-swiping Diane Botnick).

As Fredrick, Rule may not look like much of a romantic figure, but he does lend the role a weary dignity that is close to heroic, and he brings a decent singing voice to the proceedings.

Tuck’s Desiree is appropriately vivacious and her handling of “Send in the Clowns,” while not the showstopper it can be, is gently felt.

Paul scores points with his pompous portrayal, while Botnick gives the show its giddiest moments.

‘A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC’

A Newport Theatre Arts Center production of the Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and Hugh Wheeler (book) musical. Directed by D. Jay Bradley. With Mark Wickham, Sheryl Kramer, Cathi Bacigalupi, Don A. Johnson, Kathi Cook, Megan Endicott, Mary Sullivan Slack, John Duerler, Alan Wager, CeCe Moore, Jim Rule, Barbara Canton, Mary Tuck, Jeff Paul and Diane Botnick. Choreography by Scott Linn. Set by Gil Morales. Costumes by Dan McWest. Lighting by Chris Kortum. Plays Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. through Oct. 28 at 2501 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach. Tickets: $11. (714) 631-0288.