'Yank!' takes a tug at the heartstrings

Like any good musical, "Yank!" is a story that resonates beyond its context. It takes place during a very distinct period, World War II, but the issues it raises about homosexuality in the military remain pertinent today. It's also a hell of a lot of fun.

From the moment one enters the theater, the mood is perfectly set. The proscenium arch above the stage is decorated in a collage of World War II-era advertisements, each encouraging our participation in the war effort.

The show, which gets its title from a World War II magazine for soldiers, opens with NYU alumnus Bobby Steggert playing the role of the fourth-wall-breaking narrator, telling us about a journal and a song he downloaded on iTunes. It is this journal that invites us into the show's world, that tells the love story of two servicemen, war reporter Stu (Steggert) and army private Mitch (Ivan Hernandez), as they train to be sent to the front line along with their squad.

As the show takes place long before "don't ask, don't tell," a sense of deep transgression weighs heavily on the heart of the sympathetic audience. This is balanced out, however, through the clever use of cultural references, a comic-relief Sicilian character and the occasional stereotypical joke (three of the homosexuals in the service calling each other "she") thrown in here or there. The chemistry oozes out of their dialogue and heartfelt songs.

The show isn't just limited to its central couple; there are five men in the squad, and no two men are alike. Thanks to the writing by David Zellnik and the direction of Igor Goldin, they each contribute to a palpably close-knit fraternity while still exerting individuality.

Nancy Anderson, the lone female cast member, takes on the parts of all the women and holds her own every time she waltzes on stage. The variety of her characters and singing styles helps balance out this male-centric show.

The show is also meaningfully modest in its technical aspects. The set, designed by Ray Klausen, projects the aura of an army training base through the use of a few simple benches and string sheeted flats. Ken Lapham's lighting helps the mood change from serious to lighthearted, and the costumes, by Tricia Barsamian, look as good on the cast members as they do on the floor.

Yes, there's a little nudity. It's simply a part of "Yank!", like the old-fashioned song and dance. The score by Joseph Zellnik is soft and tender, as are the lyrics written by his brother David. The show switches between lighthearted, catchy tunes and heartfelt love songs, handled deftly by the cast. Brilliantly executed tap dancing and ballet balance the heavy plot with some fun.

"Yank!" transports its audience to a world over a half-century old, but its honest, heart-wrenching love story will yank at anyone's heartstrings.

"Yank!" is playing at the York Theatre (619 Lexington Ave.) through March 21. Tickets ($20-67.50) are available at yorktheatre.org.

Sibyl Holland is a contributing writer.