This Gospel Comedy Asks: To Wed or Merely to Bed?

David E. Talbert’s annual musical plays have become the most visible examples of the African American “urban circuit,” at least in Los Angeles. But his latest, “His Woman, His Wife,” at the Wiltern, demonstrates that Talbert’s success as a producer is not yet matched by creativity as a writer and director.

This year’s topic: Can living in sin be as rewarding as a good marriage? If you think you know how Jesus would answer that question, you can surely predict how Talbert will answer it, as well.

Stuart (Tommy Ford) and Denise (Stephanie Mills) are an attorney and a part-time teacher who have been living together for three years. He has been resisting marriage; she is for it, although she resents an aggressive campaign by her mother (LeCresia Campbell) to change Stuart’s mind.

Stuart’s ex (LaShanda Reese), with whom he has an unseen daughter, schemes to win him back, working in tandem with his ambitious junior colleague (Tony Terry). The schemes come to a head when the ex, working for a temp agency, lands a brief stint filling in for Stuart’s secretary.

The script follows the usual rhythmic pattern, with brash sitcom exchanges evolving into preachy, feel-good moments. The invocations of Jesus are delayed longer than is often the case in such shows and seem more tacked-on than usual. It’s easy to imagine how the same story could be told minus religious references, though that might not go over well with the target audience.

For what is billed as a musical, “His Woman, His Wife” also feels a little skimpy in terms of show-stopping, gospel-tinged arias. The program lists only three songs in the first act, which includes one three-scene sequence without any songs. The second act is more musically intense, but some of the songs feel slightly truncated. Not that this is necessarily a problem in a show that runs nearly three hours--but clearly the musical moments most audibly rouse the audience. The only number that really brought down the house on opening night featured a series of cascading soprano flourishes from Campbell.

Ford is almost twice as tall as Mills, so they make an interesting couple visually. But the set looks cheap and dinky on the Wiltern’s big stage, especially considering that it’s supposed to represent a stylish penthouse apartment and a cushy law office. The sound system lacks clarity, and the lighting effects are laughably overdone during a solo by Terry.

There are no free printed programs. But if you fork over five bucks, you get a glossy booklet that’s not only a program but also a source of all the written testimonials to Talbert that you’ll ever need.

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* “His Woman, His Wife,” Wiltern Theatre, 3790 Wilshire Blvd. Tonight-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m.; Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Ends Sunday. $24.50-$35. (213) 480-3232. Running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes.