THEATER REVIEW : ‘Prelude to a Kiss’ Still Works Magic : A loving couple’s trust, loyalty and perseverance are put to the test in a charming adult fairy tale.

With the endless cycle of retreads revolving through local stages, it’s hard to fathom why “Prelude to a Kiss,” Craig Lucas’ charming 1988 adult fairy tale, took so long to make its Central Coast debut, even after its transition to movie screens as a 1992 Alec Baldwin-Meg Ryan vehicle.

Whatever the reason, though, a handsome staging by the Santa Barbara City College Theatre Group proves the show was worth the wait.

Lucas’ wry meditation on the importance of truly knowing your life partner centers on Rita (Jamie Sciacca) and Peter (David Miller), newlyweds who find their love tested when Rita’s soul magically swaps bodies with a mysterious old man (Chris Karys).

Sciacca and Miller make an appealing young couple, especially in the opening scenes where they’re swept up in the “blissful, psychotic first blush of love.” Both their affection and their initial awkwardness are endearingly well-played, though some levels to these characters could be better defined. Rita’s pessimistic world view, in particular, is an unconvincing stretch for perky Sciacca, and Miller falls short of the introspective depth that would help Peter recognize the truth about his new bride’s sudden personality change during their honeymoon.

Nevertheless, the pair sparkle with all-important chemistry, which carries over as well to Karys’ humorous and touching depiction of Rita trapped in the old man’s body.

Also contributing sizable, well-honed supporting performances are Rich Hoag and Leslie Gangl Howe as Rita’s parents.

Sure-handed staging by Rick Mokler in the Garvin Theatre’s small Studio Theatre furthers the intimacy of this warmhearted fable, despite occasional awkward blocking that has characters with their backs to the audience for extended conversations.

An inspired director’s choice is Mokler’s onstage presence of pianist Anna Abbey and singer Mim Abbey, weaving romantic, nostalgia-tinged ballads through the story. Barbara Lackner’s costumes are impeccably appropriate, from Rita’s stylish extroversion to Peter’s casual conservative to the old man’s tweedy Old World look.

Though the plot complications involving Peter’s attempt to restore Rita’s soul to her rightful body hark back to the escapist larks of screwball 1940s comedies, the piece retains a contemporary sensibility, particularly in its view of relationships. Issues of trust, loyalty and perseverance figure prominently in asserting the possibility of permanent feelings in a world of disposable partners--even if it takes a little magic to make it happen.

Details

* WHAT: “Prelude to a Kiss.”

* WHEN: 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays (through May 13).

* WHERE: Garvin Theatre Complex, 800 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara.

* HOW MUCH: $13 to $15.

* CALL: (800) 965-5935.