‘Me and My Girl’ glows in Long Beach

Old-fashioned flair enlivens “Me and My Girl,” continuing Musical Theatre West’s 50th anniversary season in Long Beach. This revival of the 1984 revision of Lupino Lane’s 1937 London hit is a breezy delight, courtesy of director-choreographer Roger Castellano and a marvelous ensemble.

Music hall icon Lane first conceived his hero Bill Snibson for 1936’s “Twenty to One.” Semi-sequel “Girl,” written by L. Arthur Rose, Douglas Furber and songwriter Noel Gay, was phenomenally successful, with showstopper “The Lambeth Walk” serving as George VI’s coronation anthem while becoming an international dance craze.

Nearly 50 years later, Gay’s son Richard Armitage, the late Mike Ockrent and actor Stephen Fry revised “Girl,” interpolating additional Gay numbers. This ran for 3,303 performances, starring Emma Thompson and earning Robert Lindsay an Olivier Award. The 1986 Broadway production lasted 1,420 performances, winning Tonys for Lindsay and Maryann Plunkett.

The wafer-thin narrative resembles H.G. Wells’ “Kipps” (the source of another British smash, “Half a Sixpence”) crossed with “My Fair Lady.” Cockney Snibson (the wonderful Wayne Bryan) must choose between an inherited earldom and girlfriend Sally (Bets Malone, enchanting), gaining both by the finale.

What distinguishes this pasteboard is an unapologetic delight in its formula. The jokes are audacious corn: Asked if he likes Kipling, Snibson replies, “I don’t know -- I’ve never kippled.” Gay’s lilting songs conjure an entire era, much like the Ivor Novello tunes Robert Altman laced throughout “Gosford Park.” Prime examples include the title duet, the climactic “Leaning on a Lamppost” and certainly “Lambeth Walk.” This insidious chestnut seals the deal, sending prancing buskers and strutting swells out into the house.

Deft musical director Dennis Castellano pulls Hippodrome-worthy sounds from his ace pit. The tech is seamless, with the designs of Michael Gilliam (lighting), B. Modern (costumes) and the uncredited settings all first-rate.

Bryan’s triple-threat aplomb and Malone’s open-throated appeal alone recommend the whole. This, however, overlooks the stellar contributions of Tracy Lore’s wry vamp, Kevin McMahon’s droll twit, Brenda Cox and Robert Machray’s pompous aristocrats and the treasurable Lenny Wolpe’s family solicitor.

All concerned treat each moment as though newly conceived. This mostly offsets the liabilities, though some jokes are less grinners than groaners. Still, if this “Girl” doesn’t ultimately bring a glow to your heart, you might be deceased.

*

“Me and My Girl”

Where: Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St.,

Long Beach

When: 8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays;

2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays;

2 p.m. Sundays;

2 and 7 p.m. Feb. 16 only

Ends: Feb. 23

Price: $20-$45

Contact: (562) 430-2324

Running time: 2 hours,

40 minutes