Red Eye of Love, an old-fashioned musical with a few absurd twists, delivers an enjoyable and refreshing evening of fun. Produced by Amas Musical Theatre and playing at the Dicapo Theatre, Red Eye of Love gives the kind of pleasure one gets from Fourth of July fireworks, a frothy root beer float or an old movie musical.

The show is broad and funny but with moments of bite as it explores the themes of love, war, capitalism, greed, poverty, failure, success and the search for the key to life. Set against the backdrop of New York City, the story centers around Selma Chargesse, played by Alli Mauzey with kewpie doll charm and a zingy delivery of some superb one liners. She is faced with the dilemma of choosing between true love with young idealist Wilmer Flange or a life of luxury with wealthy tycoon O.O. Martinas, an older man with a department store filled with meat. Kevin Pariseau’s performance as the money driven meat magnate is perfectly theatrical.

With book and lyrics by Arnold Weinstein and John Wulp and music by Sam Davis, Red Eye of Love started out fifty years ago as an off Broadway play by Mr. Weinstein. A self-described “theater poet”, Mr. Weinstein is probably best known for his opera and cabaret song collaborations with American composer William Bolcom, who once described his collaborator as having “a gift for writing words that were singable, and that gave character.” And this is what we get in Red Eye of Love: delectable lyrics that reveal character, delight our ears with internal rhymes and give us delicious double entendres on different cuts of meat. As in any good old fashioned musical, the plot is simple and moves fast, but Mr. Weinstein throws in sharp jabs at the rich vs. the poor, the great depression and war.  Mr. Davis’ music reflects the early 20th century era including intricate rhythmic patterns, some sweet sultry jazz and gorgeous, soul searching melodies especially in the arias “Dolls” and “Red Eye of Love”. These two arias anchor the first and second acts, respectively. Revealing a heart wounded by love, “Dolls” is passionately sung with a searing emotional connection by Josh Grisetti as the young dreamer, Wilmer Flange. Mr. Grisetti has a beautifully expressive voice and as an actor possesses that comic vulnerability associated with Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin.

Lainie Sakakura and Alex Sanchez choreograph with cleverness and imagination. The talented six member ensemble dance with huge slabs of meat, create silent movies and patriotic pageantry and perform the meat ballet, with burlesque lambs and hoofing heifers in a show stopping tap number.  Tony award winner Ted Sperling directs with simplicity and just the right balance of sweetness and surrealism. The band consists of two onstage grand pianos brilliantly played by Greg Jarrett and Roberto Sinha. Mr. Sperling weaves the story around this centerpiece enhanced by the scenic designs of iconic American artist Robert Indiana. Red Eye of Love is sparkling entertainment!