Originally, Tacoma Little Theatre (TLT) had intended to end this, its 89th season, with a production of “The Pajama Game,” a 1950’s musical. Unfortunately, a national tour purchased the exclusive nationwide rights to the show and performance rights became unavailable to TLT.

Because a number of performers had already made a commitment to the proposed TLT production of “Pajama Game,” artistic director David Duvall and Chris Nardine (who was to direct and choreograph “Pajama Game”) decided to piece together a show that would utilize the talents of those performers who were on board for the spring musical. Duvall asserts that the intent was to “create something that would showcase their talents even more strongly that ‘The Pajama Game’ would have done.”

Duvall and Nardine thus cobbled together a show that they have entitled “Broadway’s Fabulous Fifties!” They drew from a lengthy list of hit musicals like “West Side Story,” “The Music Man,” “Damn Yankees,” “Guys and Dolls” and many more. The resulting musical revue consists of more than 40 fully staged musical numbers that take more than two hours to perform.

TLT’s “Broadway’s Fabulous Fifties!” is blessed with a number of gifted performers who, along with a nicely minimal set and sumptuous lighting, provide a number of spectacular high points.

“Bells are Ringing Medley,” for example, (from the musical “Bells are Ringing”) features Stephanie Leeper, Robin Weakland and Rachel Boyer. Singing three tunes (“Just in Time,” “Long Before I Knew You,” and “The Party’s Over”) that interweave with one another, the piece is hauntingly beautiful. Leeper is an especially gifted performer in both drama (she did an outstanding job as Maggie in TLT’s recent “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”) as well as in musical theater. Boyer is possessed of a sultry voice when she gets up to full volume.

Doug Fahl, who can do a soft shoe as well as he sings, does a magical version of “My Time of Day” from “Guys and Dolls.”

Strong performances are turned in by Sam Barker, Chris Cline, Ashley Middleton, Brittany D. Henderson and Christine MacNeal (whose pretty dancing and talented vocal chords should earn her a bigger part in future shows).

The set is sparse, consisting of multiple levels with a lit backdrop. The costumes are nicely understated. Lighting and costumes are combined to create any number of harmonious color compositions that are pleasing to the eye.

The one fault of the show is that it is too ambitious time wise. Designed to run the same length as the absent “Pajama Game,” the show lacks the story line and engagement with characters necessary to anchor the audience for such a long run time. As a result, one finds oneself engaged in a feat of endurance by the time the show is into the middle of its second act.

In their zeal for their material, the compilers of this musical revue have overreached. Instead of leaving hungry for more, the audience is unpleasantly stuffed with song and dance. To aficionados of 50s musicals this is a sweet dessert of “greatest hits.” To others, however, a paring down of the material might be welcomed.

For informantion call (253) 272-2281 or visit www.tacomalittletheatre.com.