STAGE REVIEW : ‘World’ Needs a Harder Spin

“Stop the World--I Want to Get Off” has always been a little too cute for its own good. Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse’s musical routinely substitutes a coyness bordering on cloyness for great tunes and an inspired book.

The Huntington Beach Playhouse embraces the cuteness. The problem is, you can only take so much of this stuff--the hero parades around in mime makeup!--and it’s not long before this Kent Johnson-directed revival all gets to be a bit much.

The Newley-Bricusse book for “Stop the World,” which premiered in London in 1961 before making it to Broadway the next year, follows the domestic travails of Littlechap, a man-child with a thing for the ladies. He especially likes the aristocratic Evie, but when she gets pregnant, Littlechap has to face life’s realities.

He takes a grudging journey through parenthood and responsibility, every now and then shouting the signature “Stop the World!” line when everything becomes overwhelming.

Littlechap should have a convincing romantic streak, at least enough to get us to go along with the idea that women find him irresistible. But star Bradley Miller is more the cuddly type, a pudgy fellow with a friendly smile. It would be nice if Littlechap had an edge, not only because the character needs it, but so does the musical, and Bradley is all softness.

The production provided one surprise during last Sunday’s matinee. Understudy Laura Moore assumed the role of Evie when Laura Freeman couldn’t make the performance. Moore approached the challenge with a confidence that made for the show’s best performance--her portrayal did have a touch of much needed sass.

As for the singing--well, it was community-theater thin. This isn’t the greatest score anyway; with the exception of the popular “What Kind of Fool Am I” and “Once in a Lifetime,” there’s not much to get excited about.

‘Stop the World--I Want to Get Off’

A Huntington Beach Playhouse production of the Anthony Newley-Leslie Bricusse musical. Directed by Kent Johnson. With Bradley Miller, Laura Moore, Laura Freeman, Aimee Standow, Joey Sandoval, Bethanie Weber, Anjali Bhimani, Lisa Chiu, Cindy Corbin, Cameron Dixon Blesius, Karen Green, Ronda Roane, Pat Sort de Sanz and Sharon Walker. Set by Kent Johnson. Lighting by Bob Ashby and Marty Eckmann. Costumes by Marty Eckmann. Choreography by Teri Shea. Musical direction by Bill Wolfe. Performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. through June 20; matinee Sunday at 2 p.m. At 21141 Strathmoor Lane, Huntington Beach. $7 and $9. (714) 832-1405.