THEATER REVIEW : ‘Fade to Blue’ True to Its Old Ways

Gregory Scott Young has re-opened Club Indigo, his ‘30s nightspot. “Fade to Blue” is his third song and dance revue set at the fictional joint, once again operating out of the Golden Theatre in Burbank.

No one stages this kind of material with a more creative hand than Young. Newcomers are likely to be delighted, and those who have seen earlier versions aren’t likely to complain, though only three numbers haven’t been seen in those earlier versions.

This edition is more streamlined than the last, with a smaller cast, with only one old-timer (Kay St. Germain, again) reminiscing about the old days, and with a little more attention paid to individuating each character.

Still, no one will mistake this for a book musical. No book writer is credited. When a new subplot is introduced late in the second act, setting up “Night and Day,” the lack of a librettist is obvious.

The backstage band, directed by Dan Friedman, sounds bigger than ever; in fact, fascinating Elizabeth Anne Smith had to strain a bit to be heard over the band on her first solo number. And there was a worse distraction in Act II on opening night; a defective fluorescent light made irritating popping noises. Presumably this has been fixed.

Assuming that’s the case, this is one show that will entertain just about anyone. The cast has youthful exuberance and grown-up polish, and Young’s choreographic ingenuity is worth a second or third look.

Young and producer and performer Carl White (who plays the bad guy) want to move the show to a larger space. The performers surely deserve the remuneration that would accompany such a move. But spectators will surely get a more intense show at the Golden, where the dancers are practically in your lap.

“Fade to Blue,” Golden Theatre, 139 N. San Fernando Road, Burbank. Fridays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 and 7 p.m. Ends March 14. $22. (818) 841-9921. Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes.