Deadly Version of a ‘Lucky Stiff’

In “Lucky Stiff,” Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s musical now at Cypress College, a corpse propped in a wheelchair is played for laughs over and over.

That gives an idea of the show’s sensibilities. Fans of the movie “Weekend at Bernie’s,” in which a dead man is lugged from one silly scenario to the next, may get a tickle out of “Lucky Stiff.” Others should think twice.

The jokey corpse isn’t the only minus for the musical, an off-Broadway production of a few years back. The humor, presented as silly to the point of giddy, is tired and not fun enough. The Ahrens (book and lyrics) and Flaherty (music) score is mostly forgettable, not up to their higher in the more satisfying “Ragtime.”

They had a compelling story to work with in E.L. Doctorow’s lauded novel. The “Lucky Stiff” plot is a mishmash that begins with Harry Witherspoon (Sean K. Estipona), an English shoe salesman, living drearily until he learns he’s the beneficiary of a $6-million inheritance.

There’s a catch, of course: Harry must cart the taxidermist-prepared corpse of his Uncle Anthony (Dana R. Hess) to Monte Carlo. Through tape recordings, Uncle Anthony lets Harry know that the two of them are supposed to go dancing, drink champagne, sleep in satin sheets. In other words, Harry has to live for the both of them now.

If he doesn’t, the inheritance will go to the Universal Dog Home of Brooklyn--especially nettlesome to Harry because he hates dogs. Tossed into this mess is Uncle Anthony’s mistress (Erica Munoz) with bad eyesight and Annabel (Corinne Carrillo), Harry’s love interest who also happens to work for the dog home.

Director Eve Himmelheber knows she’s working with very broad material and tries to pump up the lunacy, but it comes across awkwardly at Cypress College. The student cast isn’t polished enough to get you thinking more about the performances and less about the musical. And with “Lucky Stiff,” it’s best not to dwell on the big picture.

Of the ensemble, Estipona and Munoz fare best. Estipona has a pleasant voice and brings a bit of aw-shucks personality to Witherspoon. Munoz belts out her siren numbers and strives for the comic elements in Rita.

Technically, there’s not much to distinguish the show. Set designer Kathy Hardoy’s painted-on scenery is appealing in its unassuming, simple way.

* “Lucky Stiff,” Cypress College’s Campus Theater, 9200 Valley View St. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. Ends Sunday. $7-$8. (714) 821-6320. Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes.

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“Lucky Stiff,”

Sean K. Estipona: Harry

Dana R. Hess: Uncle Anthony

Shane E. Kennedy: Vinnie

Erica Munoz: Rita

Corinne Carrillo: Annabel

Frederick Crisafulli: Luigi/Tony

Victoria Lynn Peck: Dominique

A Cypress College production of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty’s musical. Directed by Eve Himmelheber. Sets: Kathy Hardoy. Sound: Fred DePontee. Lighting: Crystal R. Shomph. Costumes: Wilma Mickler-Sears. Musical director: Mitchell Hanlon. Stage manager: Keith Allen Harris.