“They’re Playing Our Song” is a great choice for the reboot of regularly-scheduled Main Stage shows in Civic Theatre Of Allentown’s Nineteenth Street Theatre.

“Song” is, as the title states, playful and songful and, as directed by Civic Theatre of Allentown’s Artistic Director William Sanders and starring the dynamic duo of Ryan Donchez as Vernon Gersch, the composer, and Rebecca Pieper as Sonia Walsk, the lyricist, the production is zestful.

The musical, in two acts with intermission, continuing 7:30 p.m. July 30 and 31 at Civic, with book by Neil Simon and music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, is based on the lives, careers and songs of Hamlisch and Bayer Sager, partners in song and life for a time (the late 1970s).

“Song” not only has some great songs by Hamlisch and Bayer Sager delivered with exuberance, classy style and in fine voice by Donchez and Pieper, it has the witty dialogue of Simon.

You will find yourself tapping your toe one minute (as I did opening night July 23 for this review) to one of the catchy songs, and laughing out loud (as I did) the next minute at the quips. “Song” will fill your heart with song and laughter. It’s a terrific return to form for Civic following its some 15-month closure because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shutdown.

Scenic designer Sam Roff and scenic artist Jan Joyce create the settings, a New York City skyline backdrop, super-graphics to reveal locations (Gersch’s apartment, a recording studio, etc.) and a few identifiable set pieces (a chair, a bed, and a series of Princess and other telephones. Kudos to prop-master Jason Daniel Sizemore). Hair and wigs are by the always excellent Kim Danish. Light designer Will Morris keeps the stage awash in colorful hues.

Costume designer Will Morris attires Donchez in full-nerd, as bespeaks a composer and completes the character’s role, and puts Pieper in some fabulous frocks that push her already big personality to larger than life.

Donchez and Pieper have the timing of Simon’s wit down to the moment, the second, really. The repartee is frequently breathless, for actors in delivery and audience in response.

“Song” is more than a two-hander. There’s a trio of alter egos for each lead character.

Sonia’s Voices are Mackenzie Lynch, Kate Pistone and Kyla Reese.

Vernon’s Voices are Luke Hauck, Jason Roth and Joshua Schwirtz.

Each is in excellent voice and form in the choreography by Sanders, with assistant choreographer Pat Birnbaum.

Randal Utsch as the voice of Phil The Engineer gets some big laughs.

The device of the Voices is a brilliant conceit, allowing Vernon and Sonia to be shown at different ages, revealing their inner voices, and filling out songs with harmonies and rendering viable production numbers.

Sound designer Randall Utsch keeps the music seamless in the prerecording with music direction by Nicholas Conti and performed by Patricia O’Connell, June Thomas and Eileen Fields, keyboards; Will Currier, guitar; Tom Herr, bass, and Ron Grassi, drums. I kept looking for the band in the orchestra pit. Well-done. Covid concerns necessitated the recording.

Sanders keeps everything nifty and zippy. “Song” is all-entertainment all the time.

Donchez has a fine voice. He projects well. He’s emotive and engaging. He’s also so likable in the role.

Pieper is a piper (true to her name). She extends a note at the end of a song when many would be letting go. She’s irresistible in the role.

Donchez and Pieper harmonize beautifully. All the songs are standouts. My favorites are, in addition to the title song, the Act One closer, “Just For Tonight,” and Act Two’s big ballad, “I Still Believe In Love.”

If you want to go back to the theater for that wonderful, old-time, in-person on-stage experience, “They’re Playing Our Song” is the show for you.

Tickets: http://www.civictheatre.com/; 610-433-8903