Computer comedy double clicks

Sometimes, you can tell right away. Take, for instance, “Internet Dating: The Musical.” From the title alone, you figure it’s ready to have a good time, and just moments into the first song, your expectations are confirmed in such eye-rollingly silly lyrics as: “Some people say that it’s only for losers. But Internet dating lets the beggars be choosers, from their computers.”

Cleverly conceived and appealingly performed, the show is putting a :-) face on audiences at the art/works theater in Hollywood as it ponders photos that overstate reality, profiles that try too hard and the myriad complications of trying to separate the wheat from the chaff.

The character we follow into this world is the sort we all know: that smart, funny, attractive person everybody wants to hang out with yet inexplicably remains uncoupled. In this case, her name is Jenny. She’s 31, and she’s starting to get worried. As portrayed by Ali Spuck, she’s bright-eyed, plucky and forever pulling playfully goofy faces. We root for her from the moment we meet her.

Urged on by her gal pals (effervescently portrayed by Ali Pomerantz and Sandy Shimoda), Jenny signs on, signs up and takes the plunge. Through what follows, we are reminded that no matter how high-tech the world gets, the old-fashioned things still apply. “I believe every soul has one true love,” Jenny sings, and our hearts thump in agreement.

The songs are inflected with ‘50s doo-wop, Latin rhythms, vintage Burt Bacharach and the pop sounds of new Broadway. The best of them are given to Suzan Solomon, portraying Jenny’s mom: the skeptical, mock-sultry “Google You” and the touching memory song “Never Loved Somebody (That Much).” Though the tunes won’t win the Tony for best score any time soon, they serve their functions well enough.

Ron Weiner, responsible for the book, music and lyrics, has written for such television shows as “Arrested Development” and “Futurama.” In director Annie Oelschlager he has someone who knows just how to balance the heartfelt against the tongue-in-cheek.

Mia Torres’ set, decorated with “Dating Game”-like bright colors and graphic flourishes, is dominated by an oversize computer screen, out of which Jenny’s prospective dates emerge (cads, also-rans and possible Mr. Rights played by David Eldon, Trip Hope, Jeffrey Landman and Kyle Nudo). The plot keeps us guessing, and Weiner’s wry sense of humor keeps us smiling.

“Internet Dating: The Musical,” art/works, 6569 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays. Ends June 4. $22.50. (323) 960-4418 or www.plays411.com/internetdating. Running time: 2 hours.