A Review of "42nd Street," at the John W. Engeman Theater AnnMarie Snyder FLASH The cast of "42nd Street" at the Engeman Theater. In addition to the title song, the musical is known for hit tunes like "We're in the Money." Is it those dancing feet, those bright costumes or those high-wattage smiles that dazzle the audience most in the first scene of the John W. Engeman Theater's production of "42nd Street"? It is hard to decide, and it doesn't really matter, because they blend into one terrific opening number, which turns out to be a harbinger of an altogether enjoyable show. The director, Mark Adam Rampmeyer, previously did hair and makeup design at the Engeman Theater, which is in Northport, as well as at various Manhattan theaters. You'd expect a stylish show, which he delivers. But he's also shaped one that's intimate and involving - no easy task in a musical dominated by classics like "We're in the Money," "Lullaby of Broadway," "Shuffle Off to Buffalo" and the catchy title song, all composed by Harry Warren, with lyrics by Al Dubin. It also has a plot that is familiar - as much from the 1933 Busby Berkeley movie as the 1980 Broadway adaptation - though it continues to provide inspiration for other backstage stories. Even TV's "Smash," an equally fanciful look at the making of a Broadway musical, borrows a few elements, like the rivalry between a hard-edged, seasoned performer and a dewy-eyed newcomer. The most famous line in "42nd Street" is "You're going out a youngster, but you've got to come back a star." It is delivered with sincere conviction by Patrick Ryan Sullivan, in his sturdy performance as Julian Marsh, an acclaimed director making a comeback with the show within a show, called "Pretty Lady." Though Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, who wrote the book for "42nd Street" (based on a novel by Bradford Ropes), didn't connect the dots among all the characters and relationships, they did give shadings to Julian. He may be a nurturing director, but he also arranges for thugs to harm a man who stands in his way. With 36 hours to prepare an actress for her new part, he predicts, "By tomorrow night I'll either have a live leading lady or a dead chorus girl." Though her role is more or less that of a villain, Christianne Tisdale is touching as Dorothy Brock, the ill-fated diva. Ms. Tisdale has a lovely voice, especially evident in "About a Quarter to Nine," as she shows her young replacement how to make an audience listen to a song. Darien Crago plays the newcomer, Peggy Sawyer, with charming gravitas - and a lightning pair of tapping feet. She's a graceful center for a compelling ensemble that includes Marci Reid as a mother-hen songwriter and performer, Drew Humphrey as an energetic dance director and Elise Kinnon as a wisecracking chorine. Kirk Bangstad gently underplays his role as Dorothy's true love, and Tim Falter plays a young tenor with élan. But acting aside, let's face it: Precision tapping is a major part of the musical's appeal. Melissa Giattino, the choreographer here, has done a fine job, basing her work on the show's original choreography by Gower Champion, with a nod to the revival as well as some original creations. Ms. Giattino danced in the 2001 Broadway revival, where Mr. Sullivan also played Julian Marsh. Despite a few trims to the score and a cast less than half the size of that one, this production matches much of its spirit. Mike Pettry, the music director, and five other musicians bring pep to the score. Brandalyn Fulton creates a glamorous 1930s look with hair and makeup. Sonoka Fukuma Gozelski's sets look underbudgeted but serve the action well. The show gets an extra spark from Keith Schneider's witty costumes, like the demented-Valkyrie hat Dorothy wears during the song "Dames." Along with the dancing feet and throbbing heart of this production, that headwear captures the "hip hooray and bally hoo" of old Broadway. "42nd Street," with book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, based on the novel by Bradford Ropes, music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Al Dubin, is at the John W. Engeman Theater at Northport, 250 Main Street, through June 17. For information: (631) 261-2900 or engemantheater.com.