Reviews

Romantic comedies don't seem to have much romance anymore in contemporary theater. Maybe that's why Alfred Uhry set The Last Night of Ballyhoo in the year 1939, when it was still possible to believe in happily ever after.

Contemporary Theatre of Dallas is revisiting the Tony Award-winning comedy, which it had produced to open its lovely space off Lower Greenville during its first season. This new version, reviewed Saturday, is an entirely fresh look at the piece, with a new director, splendid new designs and all but two cast members new as well.

Mr. Uhry examines the wealthy Jewish community in his native Atlanta, which seems to have been so highly assimilated that it's more familiar with Christmas trees than with Seders. The Freitag home holds two mothers and two adult daughters, all living with an uncle, Adolph (Randy Pearlman). Boo, the angry and critical mom (Sue Loncar), is worried that her silly, excitable Lala (Ginger Goldman) will never find a husband. Oddly, the flustered and innocent sister-in-law, Reba (Cindee Mayfield) has raised the sensible, studious Sunny (Jennifer Pasion).

Adolph brings home his new employee, Joe (Andrews W. Cope), who has grown up proud of his Jewish heritage in Brooklyn. Boo, who shares the local prejudice that Jews of German extraction have against those from Eastern Europe, does her best to make Joe feel unwelcome. But eventually Joe and Sunny find themselves attracted to one another, while Lala gets invited to the big annual New Year's dance by the jokester Peachy (Wesley Bourland).

It's a wonder The Last Night of Ballyhoo hasn't been made into a movie by now. Its episodic structure is enough to make a theater purist wince but would seem ideal for film. The unpretentious script never fails to please an audience.

Director Cheryl Denson's version gives us two perfectly matched couples in its younger performers. Ms. Goldman and Mr. Bourland make being insufferable look absolutely lovable. The chemistry between Ms. Pasion and Mr. Cope starts working the moment their characters meet, and it never lets up. They're the most believable romantic duo in memory.

Mr. Pearlman underscores Adolph's wisecracks and his affection for Sunny. For once, the part isn't a throwaway. As for the two returnees from the previous Contemporary production, Ms. Mayfield turns Reba's dottiness into winsome poetry, and Ms. Loncar is perfect when she relaxes and hits her groove. (Sometimes she works too hard at creating the character, and it shows – but then Ms. Denson has pushed the comedy and upped the tempo of the action.)

Ultimately, this play is all about love. It has an ideal pair in Ms. Pasion and Mr. Cope. You'll want to go along on their honeymoon.

E-mail ltaitte@dallasnews.com

Through Dec. 31 at Contemporary Theatre of Dallas, 5601 Sears St.

Runs 140 mins $27, discounts

available. 214-828-0094, www.contemporarytheatre

ofdallas.com.