‘Night for Singing’ Revue Is a Little Too Grand

Rodgers and Hammerstein first teamed up in the early ‘40s, bringing “Oklahoma!” to the stage in 1943. Then came “Carousel” (1945), “South Pacific” (1949) and “The King and I” (1951), among others.

Great musicals, great songs, great careers. As a celebration of this storied collaboration, it’s hard to quibble with “A Grand Night for Singing.” The revue, conceived by Walter Bobbie and featuring more than three dozen familiar hits, spans their full range, from the elegant and touching to the goofy and cornball. It’s easier to quibble with Saddleback Civic Light Opera’s production, in which choreography and overacting divert attention from the songs’ simple stylishness.

Under the direction of Diane King Vann, three women (Lili Lewis, Erin Browne and Julie Gunner) and two men (Alan Kelly and John Lindfors) take turns on the small, unadorned stage at Saddleback College’s Cabaret Theatre. Off to the left are a pair of tuxedo-clad musicians (Don Cloud on piano, Dave Hall at the drums) who move efficiently through the songbook.

It all seems understated at first, reminding us that, given nice voices and steady accompaniment, the tunes will shine. Numbers such as “We Kiss in a Shadow,” “I Have Dreamed,” “This Nearly Was Mine” and “Some Enchanted Evening” stand on their own, but the quintet, all decent singers, tries to vivify them with broad gestures, many of them comic, many overdone. While this occasionally adds to the atmosphere (as when Lewis, Browne and Gunner bring an Andrews Sisters spark to “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair”), it mostly gets in the way.

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In the intimacy of a 65-seat theater, such musical theater shenanigans glare. The proximity of performer to viewer also amplifies the problems with Susan Cable’s boisterous choreography, which is too ambitious for the space.

“A Grand Night for Singing” clicks best on the quieter, reflective songs. Kevin Cook’s unobtrusive lighting softens even more and adds to the tenderness of the moment. Browne’s capable handling of the melancholy “I Know It Can Happen Again” sets just the right mood. She also offers a pleasing rendition of “Something Wonderful.” Gunner has her small victories as well, including the rueful, romantic “The Gentleman Is a Dope.”

* “A Grand Night for Singing,” Cabaret Theatre, Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. Wednesday-Saturday, 8:30 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Ends Aug. 10. $16-$19. (714) 582-4656. Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes.

A Saddleback Civic Light Opera production of a revue of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s songs, conceived by Walter Bobbie. Directed by Diane King Vann. Choreography: Susan Cable. Set: Wally Huntoon. Costumes: Diane Lewis. Lighting: Kevin Cook. Pianist: Don Cloud. Drums: Dave Hall. Stage manager: James Baldwin.