STAGE REVIEWS : Sure-Footed ‘Boy Friend’ Woos Winningly : The Cal State Fullerton cast dances up a colorful storm in Sandy Wilson’s 1920s musical spoof, which is light and frothy but still a lot of fun.

“The Boy Friend,” Sandy Wilson’s 1920s musical spoof, comes onstage at Cal State Fullerton like a clockwork Faberge egg, a sparkling, inexhaustible, dancing extravaganza.

Director Dean Hess triumphs with his cartoon-bright, highly stylized production, capitalizing on the sheer foolishness of Wilson’s air-headed, escapist story of poor little rich girl Polly Browne’s quest for that irreplaceable ingredient of happiness, the boyfriend.

Set at Madame Dubonnet’s finishing school for young ladies on the outskirts of Nice, France, the plot is contrived for a maximum of production numbers and a minimum of sense. Hess approaches the material unapologetically, filling in the broad outline with electric colors and broad strokes.

Dubonnet’s charges, a gaggle of high-born, wealthy English debutantes, are introduced in matching outfits, each in a different dazzling shade. They strike outlandish poses, speak with outlandish accents and, whenever possible, kick up their heels with their beaus, who appear and disappear very conveniently and with great aplomb. Actors do not merely exit in this production; they fly into the wings.

Even the facial expressions are choreographed. But although every element is one glass of bubbly over the top, Hess and his company seldom loose their footing.

Leading the chorus as the flirtatious Maisie is Sydney Forest, whose first-rate performance misses nary step nor note, nor any opportunity to flash that kilowatt smile. Jon Lorenz partners her charmingly as her determined suitor, Bobby Van Husen.

As Dulcie, Erin M. McNally is a living Kewpie doll with a Betty Boop voice who makes the most of her duet with Mark John Packer, a benignly lecherous Lord Brockhurst with a tin ear and rubber legs. Helen Whatley is smooth as silk as the sophisticated Madame Dubonnet and Wichasta Reese as her knowing maid, Hortense, leaves no doubt that it is, indeed, “nicer, much nicer, in Nice.”

In the role of Polly, cherub-faced Kim Bueno clamps down on the high notes and has not found the je ne sais quoi to make this saccharine heroine shine through the sparks that the chorus is emitting.

Choreographer Lara Teeter deserves bouquets of credit for his witty dances that maximize the company’s abilities and make everyone look like a seasoned hoofer. And costumer Abel Zeballos outdoes himself with the sensational third-act Carnivale finery, which looks great, moves beautifully and evokes the era of Erte with reverence and humor.

The appropriately two-dimensional painted set by Rob Wyatt dances in and out along with the chorus numbers, which sound full and clean under Robert Nafarrete’s musical direction. Nafarrete and fellow pianist Kevin Weed provide the protean accompaniment, gliding on and off stage, grand pianos and all, in tongue-and-cheek, Busby-Berkeley style.

“The Boy Friend” is a theatrical meringue that may not be for all palates but is sure to please those in the mood for airy entertainment.

‘The Boy Friend’

A California State Fullerton production of the play by Sandy Wilson. Directed by Dean Hess. With Wichasta Reese, Sydney Forest, Erin M. McNally, Karen Wight, Joey Roper, Wendy Ham, Kim Bueno, Helen Whatley, Jon Lorenz, J.R. White, Shay Layman, Dan Duffy, Brian Bon, Royce Sciortino, Felix del Prado, Mark John Packer and Gail Liston. Choreography: Lara Teeter. Musical director: Robert Nafarrete. Scene designer: Rob Wyatt. Costume and make-up designer: Abel Zeballos. Lighting designer: Susan Hallman. Sound: John R. Fisher. Performances today through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. with a matinee Saturday at 2:30 in the CSUF Performing Arts Center, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton. $8-$12. (714) 773-3371.