Holdridge, Castellino, Carpenter, Tatar Photo by Michael Lamont

In the best tradition of Forever Plaid and hot on the heels of his successful The Marvelous Wonderettes, writer/ director Roger Bean has come up with another winner. This time, however, his musical group is populated with young men, and their passion is doo wop. It’s an entertaining evening of nostalgia.

Denny’s (Ryan Castellino) mom wants him to get a job; he just wants to form a band and enter the Dream of a Lifetime contest which promises a year’s recording contract. His geeky friend Eugene (Jim Holdridge) is coerced into going along with the plan, and all they need are two more people to make a quartet. Happily, Wally (Ryan Castellino), the preacher’s son, joins in, followed closely by Skip (Doug Carpenter), the hunky guy from the auto shop who stands to compete with Denny’s larger-than-life ego. Complications set in when their sponsor’s daughter, the beautiful Lois (Jessica Keenan Wynn--following in the footsteps of her grandfather, Keenan) arrives and causes a few romantic complications to ensue.

This production is derivative of so many musicals that have a slender story propelling them forward. In this case, however, the story works to sell some golden oldies, “Tears On My Pillow,” “The Great Pretender,” “Duke of Earl,” and “Sh Boom,” to name a few. Bean throws together typical teen angst, naiveté, and a dose of young love to add both humor and a dollop of heartache to the proceedings.

The success of the production is also enhanced by the work of some of L.A.’s top production people. Choreographer Lee Martino strengthens the musical numbers with some stylish moves that add to the 60s vibe. Michael Paternostro provides lively musical direction that hits just the right note, and Steve Parsons and Jon Newton are credited with additional arrangements and orchestrations.

The ubiquitous talent team of Tom Buderwitz (set design), Shon LeBlanc (costumes), Cricket S. Myers (sound) and Luke Moyer (lighting) give it that extra edge that takes a production from ordinary to special.

The show is both delightfully fluffy and sentimental; it starts with a grin and ends on an optimistic note that can only be achieved by actors who have the talent to make their characters believable and have the audience buy into the whole contrivance. With a combination of good singing and the right nerdy appeal, the show looks like it will follow the Wonderettes to theaters countrywide as soon as LA fans allow it to leave.

"Life Can Be a Dream," presented at the Hudson Mainstage, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Thurs. and Fri. at 8; Sat. at 3 and 8. Sun. at 3 pm. $40. Call 323-960-4412 or visit www.plays411.com or www.lifecouldbeadream.net. Closes Sept. 27.