‘The Boy Friend’ all dressed up for revival

Well, more than a half a century ago, a teenage Julie Andrews charmed audiences in her stage debut as the button-cute ingenue of Sandy Wilson’s gentle spoof of the Roaring 20s, “The Boy Friend.” Two of those charmed were Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, who were seeking a centerpiece for their upcoming project, “My Fair Lady.”

The rest, as they say, is history, but history has a way of repeating itself, especially in musical theater. Thus we have a “new” revival of “The Boy Friend” at the Orange County Perfor- ming Arts Center -- directed by the now- legendary Julie Andrews herself, her initial foray into this field.

As musicals go, this one is all froth and cotton candy, a relic of the era when story was subservient to song and dance. Fortunately, the singing and dancing are attractive enough that audiences won’t readily notice the plot contrivances in this featherweight comedy of highborn finishing school ladies frolicking on the French Riviera.

Aside from the musicality, one of the elements that demands immediate attention is the set design (by Andrews’ ex-husband Tony Walton), a pastiche of pinks and oranges which fairly defines the dimension of the show. Walton also designed the cutesy costumes, along with Rachel Navarro.

The young ladies and their hopeful swains offer some finely tuned dance steps under the tutelage of choreographer John DeLuca, while the older folks cash in on the comic moments. Leading the field in the latter category are Bethe Austin as the saucy French maid Hortense and Drew Eshelman as an aging lothario who can’t seem to escape his snooty wife (Darcy Pulliam) long enough to practice being a dirty old man.

Jessica Grove steps into the central role her director created and fairly shimmers in the assignment. Sean Palmer is a stalwart Tony, her smitten delivery boy who in reality is as filthy rich as she -- facts each character guards from the other. Andrea Chamberlain enacts the comical Maisie with giggly gusto.

Serviceable performances from Nancy Hess as the ultra-French headmistress and Paul Carlin as Polly’s father, rekindling an old affair with Hess’ character, enrich the chuckle quotient of the production.

Andrews’ direction is quite impressive, judging by the various character choices of the more seasoned company members and the pace at which the show progresses (about two hours, plus intermission). It may be frothy and inconsequential, but it’s still a great deal of fun to watch.

IF YOU GO

* WHAT: “The Boy Friend”

* WHERE: Orange County Performing Arts Center

* WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 1 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 31; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays until Jan. 1

* COST: $25 to $65

* CALL: (714) 556-278720051223gzgnh2ke(LA)