Boarding school, the musical

“Glorious health, rigorous discipline and the best education in the world.” So runs the motto of “Chalet Mirabel,” presented by Ensemble Theatre Company at the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Santa Monica. Provisionally speaking, Parmer Fuller and Narcissa Vanderlip’s ambitious musical about the Swiss boarding school of their youth provides a serviceable showcase for some vivid young talents.

The Maury Yeston-flavored title number introduces staff, students and parents at the start of an extremely eventful 1956, pocket histories and internecine relationships converging “in the great tradition of our hero, William Tell.” The sprawling plot essentially follows headmaster’s widow Anne-Marie Bovay (Catherine Farrington), who aims to balance discipline with compassion while keeping the school open, and movie star’s daughter Serena Shaw (Lili Fuller), who embodies separation anxiety and peer identification.

Director-choreographer Larry Sousa stages this labor of love with typical flair, designing an inventive white-on-white set and some beautiful projections. Viva Weber and Jessica Wheeler are funny as, respectively, upper- and lower-form teachers. Gabriel Oliva infuses various cameos with aplomb. The 10 young actors who play the students are charming, with Brian Jordan Alvarez a find as rebellious Nick.

However, although songwriter Fuller achieves some fizz in songs like “The Mirabel Routine,” he also contributes some inconclusive melodies and ham-fisted lyrics. Weber and Wheeler’s cat-fighting “A Tale of Two Sillies” borders on the offensive; the rap-tempo “Happy Birthday Yodel” is an anachronistic fracas. Vanderlip’s book is most problematic, rife with awkward blackouts, adult tangents and enough narrative for three shows. Although “Chalet Mirabel” gets an A for effort, it’s more a promising workshop than finished property.

“Chalet Mirabel,” Miles Memorial Playhouse, 1130 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays. Ends June 11. $20. (310) 202-9229. Running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes.