When a fairy-tale romance gets mixed up with bejeweled high society and low-brow hucksters, the summer nights get hot in 1925-era Florida.

The dialogue in "The Cocoanuts" sparkles, the play is fast-paced, witty and captures the vaudevillian culture of long-ago comedians.

Ara Barlieb directs The Crowded Kitchen Players' production of the patter-rich, three-act play, with music and lyircs by Irving Berlin and book by George S. Kaufman with additional text by Morrie Ryskind, through June 23, McCoole's Arts and Events Place, 10 S. Main St., Quakertown.

The musical was a Broadway hit in 1925 for the Marx Brothers and was made into a movie in 1929.

Hotel de Cocoanuts is run by empty-pockets land speculator Henry W. Schlemm, played with hilarious physical comedy by David Oswald. He's terrific as he sings "Why Am I a Hit With the Ladies?"

Sara Filson is fabulously great fun as kleptocratic Silent Sam. Bumbling Willie the Shill is played by Tom Harrison.

Meghan LaVerne plays Polly Potter with boundless energy and sex appeal. LaVerne's Polly Potter has wistful charm, weepy petulance and brassy forwardness -- all good qualities in a girl struggling against a mom determined to ruin her life.

Polly's love interest is down-on-his-luck Bob Adams, an architect doing a gig as a waiter, solidly played by Michael Thew.

Moneyed Mrs. Potter, played with superb snobbery by Pamela McLean Wallace, has more troubles than daughter Polly's romance. Schlemm, the randy hotel owner, is smitten by her ample charms and bank account.

Sharon Ferry's portrayal of bumbling police officer Hennessey steals several scenes. Her song, "The Tale of the Shirt," is a standout.

Nancy Mikkelsen's Jamison is hilarious as an often sleepy and possibly drunk desk clerk.

Stephanie Steigerwalt is charming as the sleazy and conniving Penelope Martyn, who teams with Harvey Yates, playing Frank Garon. Steigerwalt's singing is a highlight in "Everyone in the World is Doing the Charleston."

Yates' Frank Garon comes off as a less than ideal partner for villainess Penelope, who has picked a not-to-bright stooge.

Pianist Bruce Rohrbach keeps toes tapping throughout the musical romp.

The set design by Barlieb is perfect for the three-quarter-round theater. Nora Oswald's beautiful murals capture the tropical charm and pesky nuisances of a hotel built too close to the Florida swamps.

Sara Thomas' choreography keeps the actors under control as they dance, do pratfalls and enter and exit the stage at breakneck speeds.

Nancy Mikkelsen and McLean Wallace have costumed the cast with authentic period clothes.