MUSICAL ABOUT WRIGHT BROTHERS DOESN'T FLY.

Byline: Julio Martinez Correspondent

It seems incredible that, in this age of supersonic air transport and rocket-fueled space craft, the history of powered flight is not yet 100 years old. The team of Sukey Smith (music and lyrics) and Herman Raucher (book, with Smith) have crafted a worshipful if flawed musical ode to those indomitable bicycle mechanics, Wilbur and Orville Wright, who on Dec. 17, 1903, launched the first motorized aircraft at Kitty Hawk, N.C.

The book, co-written by Raucher (Academy Award nominee for ``The Summer of '42'') and Smith, chronicles in detail the Wright Brothers' early struggles in Dayton, Ohio, their angst-ridden early failures, their success at Kitty Hawk and their subsequent decades-long struggle to have themselves acknowledged for their accomplishments. It wasn't until the late 1920s that the Smithsonian Institution formally acknowledged their pioneering efforts in heavier-than-air flight.

For a story that begs to unfold beneath the vast panorama of open skies and rolling hills, ``Kitty Hawk'' appears uncomfortably contained within Don Gruber's enclosed shedlike setting. Utilizing a few modular set pieces, director Jules Aaron incorporates as much staging variety as possible, including pantomime and rear projection, to evoke the sense of changing time and place. Ultimately, there is just too much story for such a limited environment. Another bit of awkwardness is the seated, on-stage presence of ensemble members who are not at all involved in a particular scene. The limited closed-off stage area gives the nonparticipating performers more the look of being trapped rather than being interested bystanders to the action.

Yet, Aaron and this accomplished ensemble do achieve some soaring moments. Particularly rewarding are the passionate performances of Stan Chandler (Wilbur) and Reed Armstrong (Orville), as well as Kirsten Benton, who simply glows as the Wright Brothers' free-spirited and inspiring muse, Kitty. Also deserving special mention are Richard Israel's lovably nebbish bicycle mechanic Charlie Taylor and Jennifer Copping's sensitive portrayal of the Wright brothers' younger sister, Katherine.

The quirky intermingling of Smith's tuneful, soft-rock score with the period-correct turn-of-the-century costuming of Shon Le Blanc works very well, as does the on-stage placement of the accomplished five-piece instrumental ensemble led by Greg Dixon, although the band occasionally overpowers the performances.

Musical highlights include the full ensemble's heartfelt rendering of the title song, ``Kitty Hawk,'' Benton's haunting rendition of the love ballad ``If Not You'' and Chandler's powerfully performed ``Send Word Home.'' The comedic highlight of the production, however, is Israel's Ray Bolger-like singing and hoofing on ``My Feet Are Happy on the Ground.''

``KITTY HAWK''

Where: Court Theatre, 722 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood.

When: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; through Dec. 17.

Tickets: $25. Call [phone].

Our rating: Two and one half stars