Monica and Bill in Satirical Starr Turn

Satirists try to strike while the iron is hot. So the makers of “Starr Struck,” a musical revue about the recent White House scandal, must have jumped for joy when Barbara Walters’ interview with Monica Lewinsky drew huge ratings just three days before opening night. Both the revue and the interview demonstrate that Lewinsky’s story is easier to appreciate as a narrative, now that the scandal is no longer impeachment fodder.

Of course, millions of people already feel sated by this story. However, the “Starr Struck” producers--the Blank Theatre Company and Glueckman Intertainment--don’t need to fill millions of seats at tiny 2nd Stage. There should be enough interest in Lewinsky’s hometown to sustain their show for a while.

“Starr Struck” has some clever, incisive songs, crisply staged by Daniel Henning. It also has some miscalculations. The opening number emphasizes how fed up the public is from hearing so much about the subject--an odd way to begin yet another retelling. The first act doesn’t crackle until the halfway point.

Tricia Leigh Fisher’s Monica sharply nails the character’s self-described sensuality and assertiveness, but she hardly looks like someone who struggled with a weight problem, and her singing voice is weak. Michael Halpin’s Bill sings well enough, but he lacks Clinton’s soft-at-the-edges suggestion of good ol’ boy roots.

Jennifer Leigh Warren alternates amusingly between a brash Paula Jones, before and after a nose job, and the more discreet Betty Currie. Kristina Sanborn’s Hillary is all enamel, which is usually appropriate, but her one love song to Bill is less than convincing.

Mary-Pat Green’s Linda Tripp gets the biggest laughs of the show, during a telephone duet with Monica, and also launches the second act with a zippy soft-shoe called “The Perjury Trap.” Steve Lipinsky’s Matt Drudge executes an even snappier soft-shoe. Harry S. Murphy’s Kenneth Starr is properly stony most of the time, but cuts loose with a gospel-flavored rouser that celebrates the power of DNA testing and also dances a combative waltz with Halpin’s Bill. Jordan Lund’s John Q. Public expresses the usual cynicism.

Alan Jay Glueckman’s enterprising lyrics sometimes overreach, in both their rhymes (penis and heinous?) and their larger points--one number has Bill and Monica threatening each other with jail terms. Fortunately for both Glueckman and those who want unalloyed laughter, Juanita Broaddrick’s allegations apparently arrived too late for “Starr Struck.”

Stephen Bates’ witty score and Henning’s choreography draw inspiration from many styles and sources, including the rumble music from “West Side Story,” the “Jailhouse Tango” from “Chicago” and “Steam Heat” from “Pajama Game.” The stage is swathed in red, white and blue.

BE THERE

“Starr Struck: A Musical Investigation,” 2nd Stage Theatre, 6500 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends March 28. $25. (310) 289-2999. Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes.