By David Cannon

Sentinel Arts Critic

With 17 shows opening last weekend, why see an obscure musical like "Birds of Paradise" at Kensington Arts Theater?

Well, Kensington is using its inaugural season to showcase lesser-known musicals. It already has given us a stunning "Side Show" and an enjoyable though not overly memorable musical revue "Songs for a New World." So is "Birds of Paradise" worth seeing?

Definitely, but it is not quite the achievement "Side Show" was.

I am surprised more community groups havent mounted this show. It has good parts for singers and actors, minimal dancing, and an interesting plot. Its theme of how the local theater can be more satisfying than the professional stage is endearing and tailor made for local groups. Plus, it requires only one set and eight performers. For many local groups this would be an easier show to produce than trying to fit a large scale musical like "Guys and Dolls" onto their stage.

However, "Paradise" is obscure. The book and songs by Winnie Holzman and David Evans Ive never heard of them either played Off Broadway in 1987 and never clicked. Perhaps it was timing or the lack of stunning visual tricks a` la Andrew Lloyd Webber. Still the music is catchy and the plot deceptively simple; its a show well worth reviving.

Plus it has penguins, so you know it is a true classic. Think how much better off August Wilson and Horton Foote would be if they used penguins.

We are in the fictional little Harbor Island where the locals are trying to put on a show, when a local resident named Wood returns. Wood has "made it" and has become "famous" and immediately causes havoc as soon as he enters. They dump their current show for a musical local teenager Homer has written based on Anton Chekhovs play "The Seagull." Chekhov doesnt come to mind as great material for a musical, but thats part of the joke, and increasingly it filters itself into the main story lines.

"Paradise" is short for a musical about two hours not including intermission and yet it is amazing how intricate the plot gets. While a group does Chekhov, their backstage life starts sounding more and more like a Chekhov play. There are numerous romantic intrigues, a son trying to escape this small town much to his mothers dismay, a floundering marriage, and more ego driven action than the U.S. Senate. Some of the characters start to resemble their Chekhov counterparts in "The Seagull." That is if you ignore the ice age references and the penguins.

This is the type of show where the funniest song is all about how horrible Chekhovs life was. The title song, a languid tango-like number that shows backstage lust, is rather inept, and the snatch we get from "Diva in December" is a wonderful ode to bad songwriting (especially the rhyme scheme). Most amazing is the chipper little "Imagining You" number that keeps popping up until it drives director Wood nuts and he orders it to be played slower, and after a few angry chords it opens up into this gorgeous ballad one would never have expected.

As you would expect from a Chekhov style musical, this is truly an ensemble piece and all eight performers are in good voice and can act their parts well. Kevin Zarcone is all adolescent hope and angst as Homer while Gary Sullivan plays Wood, Homers older but more cynical counterpart. Gayle Gillespie, as the tomboyish Hope, can get a laugh announcing shes brought coffee while Richard Klein makes Dave a loveable nerd. Perhaps the best role is Andrea Carling-Oram as Marjorie who is has left over feelings for Wood and conflicting emotions for her son Homer, plus she has the best serious number in "Youre Mine."

Director Victor Vail keeps this all moving nicely, and best of all keeps everything clear. It looks so simple, yet the plot and relationships become increasingly complex. All performers are in good voice, thanks to musical director Scott Richards who also plays the keyboards in the show. The weakest aspect of this ingenious show is the ending. Its not that the upbeat ending is tacked on so much as it is achieved with too little effort. The weakest aspect of the production is that most of the action takes place on the floor level instead of on the stage proper which at times causes problems with the sight lines.

But you get to see an unjustly neglected musical with some lovely songs and some characters well worth getting to know.

Talk about preaching to the choir.

"Birds of Paradise" continues at the Kensington Arts Theater at the Kensington Armory through May 24.

For more information, call (301) 547-7101.