Revue of Bacharach-David Tunes Fun but Forgettable

Burt Bacharach and Hal David made melodies and lyrics as fluffy as marshmallows, insulated from the historical turbulence of their era but infinitely hummable. Steve Gunderson and Kathy Najimy have combined a selection of the duo’s songs into an irreverent but somewhat milquetoast musical revue for four voices: “Back to Bacharach and David,” at the Cinegrill.

This is a good showcase for the songs, but it doesn’t push hard enough to successfully interpret or parody an era. You’ll leave with lilting tunes bouncing around in your brain, but without any striking images to go with them.

As pseudo-beatniks in sunglasses, huddled together, snapping together for “(They Long to Be) Close to You,” or as lovelorn lasses being tossed aside by a philandering man in “Twenty-Four Hours From Tulsa,” the singers--Melinda Gilb, Gunderson, Wanda Houston and Susie Mosher--are amiably amusing, but they could be so much more. The performers are at their best when they’re playing it straight.

Gunderson and Najimy elected to bypass any onstage chatter, so it’s music all the way. Najimy’s direction is adept and lends a certain goofiness to the proceedings. The foursome has good strong voices that confidently navigate Gunderson’s fluid arrangements, ranging from close harmonies to diva duels. Although they move adequately to Javier Velasco’s choreography, which unearths many old dances, they are clearly singers first.

Nothing takes this show from pleasant and bouncy to memorable.

*

* “Back to Bacharach and David,” Cinegrill, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Mondays, 8 p.m. Ends Sept. 21. $15. (213) 466-7000. Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes.