'Pity' Salutes Pitney

Currently at Hollywood’s Lyric Theatre, writer-director Richard Hochberg is presenting the latest entry in the burgeoning jukebox musical genre. As mentioned in Hochberg’s cabaret-styled show, Town Without Pity: The Love Songs of Gene Pitney, not many people other than baby boomers know this singer-songwriter of pop, rock, and country music by name. He was a low-key fellow who sported handsome boy-next-door looks--he wasn’t flamboyant like a hip-gyrating Elvis or a hard-rocking Buddy Holly. He’s best known for his stirring ballads about romance and heartbreak. Yet people of all ages know his legacy of chart-topping songs: “Hello Mary Lou,” “Town Without Pity,” “Liberty Valance,” “Only Love Can Break a Heart,” and countless more. Pitney died April 5, 2006, so this lovely songfest, performed by a quartet of dynamic actor-singers (Will Collyer, Justin Cowden, PJ Griffith, Joe Settineri) also serves as a heartwarming tribute.

Hochberg’s decision to have four performers in the show gives it a kicky Jersey Boys feel, as the guys harmonize beautifully and sparkle in duets and solo numbers as well. Between songs, they take turns commenting on highlights of Pitney’s life, providing a fascinating overview. Hochberg’s no-frills approach allows the fabulous music and the dynamic performers to dominate, captivating the audience throughout. Providing groovy sounds to back up the crooners is music director Jerome Kurtenbach on piano and Michael Thompson on guitar. Janet Roston fashioned lively and charmingly nostalgic choreography. This scintillating musical treat will have you humming 1960s standards all the way home. It plays Mondays at 8 p.m. through Nov. 5, but I’m betting on a significant extension or a quick reopening elsewhere. (323) 939-9220. http://www.myspace.com/townwithoutpitysingers

--Les Spindle