Shoop Shoop! This new off-Broadway musical takes you back to the 1960s

When you think of ’60s music, the Beatles or Motown likely come to mind. But what about Petula Clark?

“A Sign of the Times,” now off-Broadway at New World Stages, is a new work featuring several Clark hits, as well as 1960s songs by Nancy Sinatra, Dusty Springfield and Lesley Gore.

Presented by York Theatre Company, with a book by Lindsey Hope Pearlman (based on a story by Richard J. Robin), the 2?-hour show touches on women’s rights, sexism, racism and the Vietnam War. But as is too often the case in jukebox musicals, the plot takes a back seat to the songs.

Having said that, it's surprising how lifeless the first act is. Director Gabriel Barre turns things around in Act II, though. It’s a good bet you’ll leave with a smile, humming a tune as you head home.

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“Sign of the Times” begins in 1965 in Centerville, Ohio. Cindy (Chilina Kennedy) decides not to settle down and get married to her boyfriend Matt (Justin Matthew Sargent). Instead, this young woman comes to New York City, ready to make it as a photographer.

While not a dynamic performer, Kennedy is strong throughout. She conveys Cindy’s dreams, determination, independence and “spunk,” as someone describes her character.

As Matt, Sargent’s gravelly voice grabs attention. His take on Springfield’s “I Only Want to Be With You” in Act I gets the audience moving, but the Monkees’ “Last Train to Clarksville” gets chuckles and groans. It’s not Sargent's fault — the song is forced to fit the plot. Matt is about to be shipped to Vietnam — and he wants to see Cindy again. So standing below a sign that conveniently says Clarksville, he calls her and starts singing.

Cindy struggles to find an apartment in the Big Apple until Tanya (Crystal Lucas-Perry) takes her in. Tanya wants to make it in the music business, and it’s a good bet she’s going to have hit records soon. One of the few bright spots in Act I is Lucas-Perry singing “Rescue Me,” the Fontella Brass hit, during a party at the home of Randy Forthwall (Edward Staudenmayer), an Andy Warhol-like artist.

Lucas-Perry has a big presence and an even bigger voice, and she dominates the stage.

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Akron Lanier Watson is Cody, who meets Cindy on the bus to New York and introduces himself as “President Emeritus of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, University of Buffalo Chapter.” He’s a man on a mission to improve America’s race relations. Sparks fly when he meets Tanya, and Cody has to rethink his priorities. This is a solid performance, allowing us to see Cody's passion for change and love for Tanya.

Sexist boss Brian is Ryan Silverman, who has a nice moment with Kennedy during “Call Me,” a No. 22 hit in 1966 by Chris Montez. At first, Brian seems like a good guy, but it doesn’t take a genius to know what’s coming. Silverman is smooth playing the gentleman and the creep.

Other songs in the show include “The Boy From New York City” by doo-wop group The Ad Libs, and Clark’s big No. 1 hit, “Downtown.”

While “Gimme Some Lovin’ ” starts Act II, things really pick up during “The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss).” From there, the show takes off.

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Even with director Barre’s mixed grade, the show’s creative team is sensational: Evan Adamson’s scenic design; Johanna Pan’s colorful costumes; Ken Billington’s lighting; Shannon Slaton's sound design; Brad Peterson’s projection design; and J. Jared Janas' hair, wig and makeup.

First-rate choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter, with dance arrangements by David Dabbon, are a treat to watch. There’s a little ode to Bob Fosse , which is appropriate and appreciated.

Before the show, the audience gets ready to travel back in time through old TV commercials for products like Dial, Glade and Brylcreem.

But the creators are not just interested in looking back for nostalgia’s sake. It seems they are reading the headlines, and want to make a point:

Look how far we have come. Look at all that we have accomplished. We have a ways to go — and we do not want to go backward.

Go: “A Sign of the Times,” New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St., $76 to $144; 212-239-6200, asignofthetimes.com.

Bill Canacci can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Sign of the Times off-Broadway musical takes you to the 1960s: Review