On Theater: ‘Louis & Keely’ rock the playhouse

Musical biographies on stage tend to focus heavily on either the music or the drama; rarely do both fare equally.

They do gloriously, however, at the Laguna Playhouse, where “Louis & Keely, Live at the Sahara” is grabbing at the heart strings while blowing the roof off the theater.

This highly polished, yet unvarnished, account of the lives and careers of bandleader/singer Louis Prima and his young protégé Keely Smith back in the 1950s reflects the storyline of a movie popular at that time — “A Star is Born,” in which the naive singer grows to overshadow her mentor.

Prima already had a quarter-century’s worth of a career when he first encountered the 17-year-old Keely in 1950. A dozen years before, his composition of “Sing, Sing, Sing” was the highlight of Benny Goodman’s jazz concert at Carnegie Hall. To the thrice-married, 40-year-old Prima, Keely was pure jailbait.

As she grew, chronologically and artistically, so did their attraction, and Keely became the fourth Mrs. Prima — but not the last. As her husband philandered, she hooked up with Prima’s buddy Frank Sinatra. It’s all part of historical record.

At the Laguna Playhouse, these stellar roles are blessed with equally stellar interpretations. Anthony Crivello so electrifies the audience with his splashy showmanship as Prima that his character’s crass behavior is accepted. And Vanesssa Claire Stewart — who co-wrote the show with its director, movie veteran Taylor Hackford — is simply sensational as the golden-voiced Keely Smith.

Crivello hits the stage running, a musical life force in full flourish, his command unquestioned, enriched by years of experience. The Tony-winning actor seems born to play this role, and his authority with his backup orchestra is absolute.

Stewart excels as a vocalist but packs an emotional wallop as well. She chafes in her role as Prima’s straight-faced puppet, the guise that won her fame, and she earns heavy applause with her rendition of such Johnny Mercer standards as “That Old Black Magic” and an upbeat version of “Autumn Leaves.”

Two other performers lend strong support in multiple assignments. Paul Perroni smooths out the legendary Sinatra and comforts the betrayed Keely, while Erin Matthews offers some great character shots as the “dames” in Prima’s orbit.

The musicians — impersonating Sam Butera and the Witnesses — are first rate, particularly Colin Cupka, blowing his own horn spectacularly as Butera. Melissa Bruning’s costumes faithfully represent the period, and the choreography by Vernel Bagneris glitters with Las Vegas-style pizazz.

“Louis and Keely, Live at the Sahara” is that rare blend of history and showmanship and a triumph for creators Hackford, Stewart and Jake Broder. It’s an E-ticket ride, especially for jazz aficionados, at the Laguna Playhouse.

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IF YOU GO

What: “Louis and Keely, Live at the Sahara”

Where: Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, matinees at 2 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays, until March 27

Cost: $53 to $66

Information: (949) 497-2787