Solid Staging Is Largely an Act of Charity

“Sweet Charity” prays for the right leading lady, as did the film on which the musical was based, Federico Fellini’s 1957 “Nights of Cabiria.” The great director cast his wife, the magical Giulietta Masina, in the role of the goofy prostitute whose optimism is at once fulfilling and hilarious.

That character comes alive again in UC Irvine’s revival of “Sweet Charity,” a production almost completely in the hands of graduate theater students. The score by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields is pedestrian. Neil Simon’s book, watered down from the screenplay, is commonplace. But a charming and glorious Charity makes up for all that.

Rebecca Lyn Russell maintains her dignity, and her appeal, amid an aura of supreme goofiness. It’s easy to see why her boyfriend tosses her in the river in the opening scene, even as pretty as she is. Russell has the voice--lovely in ballads yet strong enough to belt Charity’s bigger numbers--the sure sense of comic timing, and the moves, dancing with freshness and buoyancy, to carry the show.

The only problem with this staging, directed and choreographed with inventive flair by UCI dance professor and five-time Tony nominee Donald McKayle, is the costume designs by Linda Davisson. The setting is New York, but she has turned 42nd Street into Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras. The “Rich Man’s Frug” has the dancers in Art Deco spacesuits. The “Rhythm of Life” jazz church number has the company looking like very large Munchkins. The effort to be new and different merely results in some outlandish designs.

This technical flaw is somewhat alleviated by Ilana Radin’s mobile and very good-looking scenic designs and Brad Nelson’s sharp lighting design.

And some excellent performances back up Russell’s impressive turn. Kurt Robbins is believable and touching as the nice guy who might marry Charity, and Ken Ward is electric and very funny as Vittorio Vidal, the Italian movie star who takes Charity home when his girlfriend walks out.

Susanna Morrow is equally funny as that girlfriend, just barely, and beautifully, short of overplaying, and Mirla Criste and Alicia Albright give strong support as Charity’s more cynical co-workers. Alan Mingo is Daddy Brubeck, leader of the Rhythm of Life Church, and the excitement he creates is obliterated by all those pointless costumes.

* “Sweet Charity,” Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. Wednesday-Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m. Ends Saturday. $6-$18. (714) 824-2789 or (714) 854-5000. Running time: 3 hours.

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“Sweet Charity,”

Rebecca Lyn Russell: Charity Hope Valentine

Mirla Criste: Nickie

Alicia Albright: Helene

Susanna Morrow: Ursula March

Ken Ward: Vittorio Vidal

Kurt Robbins: Oscar Lindquist

Alan Mingo: Daddy Brubeck

A UCI School of the Arts revival of the Cy Coleman-Dorothy Fields musical based on Fellini’s “The Night of Cabiria.” Directed and choreographed by Donald McKayle. Musical direction: Dennis Castellano. Scenic design: Ilana Radin. Costume design: Linda Davisson. Lighting design: Brad Nelson. Sound design Dirk D. Sciarrotta. Stage manager: Chuck O’Donnell.