The most recent offering at MCC Theater is a new musical entitled “The Lonely Few” with music and lyrics by Zoe Sarnak and a book penned by Rachel Bonds. Basically, it can be considered a rom com musical with a simple plot that takes a bit too long to develop especially since the predictability level is very high. The length may be attributed to the nineteen songs that are included in the script, some of which are plainly and purely there for entertainment purposes and do nothing to move the plot forward or provide any pertinent information. Even if the lyrics were filled with vital information, feelings, or exposition, it would be difficult to follow, since the sound design by Jonathon Deans and Mike Tracey made it nearly impossible to understand the vocalists.

The plot revolves around Lila (a sincere Lauren Patten) who is frontwoman and lead songwriter for the rock band “The Lonely Few” that performs at Paul’s Joint, a local dive bar and music venue in Lila’s hometown in Kentucky. Enter Amy (a complex Taylor Iman Jones), an up-and-coming rock star on her first tour, who is invited to the bar to hear Lila perform. Amy just happens to be the estranged daughter of Paul (a thoughtful Thomas Silcott), the owner of the bar and drummer for “The Lonely Few,” who walked out on Amy and her mother years ago. During the amiable reunion it is revealed that Amy’s opening act for her tour has quit putting the tour in jeopardy. Lila and Amy are instantly attracted to each other (after the dramatic spotlit gaze). Then there is the Lila’s rowdy and pitiful brother Adam (a broad Peter Mark Kendall), who has a drug and alcohol problem. Of course, Lila becomes the opening act for Amy, they begin a relationship and Adam is left behind. Adam gets worse when Lila does not return his phone calls, and eventually overdoses. Lila leaves the tour and rushes home to save her brother, abandoning Amy and destroying their relationship. Once home and Adam seems to be on the right track to recovery, Lila decides she needs to go back to Amy because that is what she wants and where her heart is. It is a happy ending in the true spirit of musical theatre.

Under the direction of Trip Cullman and Ellenore Scott the proceedings move quickly, and the flow is seamless but that does not overcome the banality of the book and some characters falling prey to stereotype and sophomoric behavior. Too much time spent on personal baggage and exposition and not enough time spent on the actual relationships that exist. It would be great to know where the story is going rather than where it has been. Scenic design by Sibyl Wickersheimer is flawless, creating an interior of Paul’s Joint to perfection and quickly transitioning to other locations with minimal scenery effectively. Samantha C. Jones provides low key costumes that evoke the geographic location and compliment the personality of the characters. Lighting design by Adam Honoré captures different moods from florescent workplace, warm and dim living room, lively dive bar and electrifying and dramatic concert setting.

The talented cast works energetically to deliver a solid rock vibe but are sometimes too ambitious trying to convey the message. Ms. Jones and Ms. Patten have great vocal ability but once again the lyrics are difficult to understand. “The Lonely Few” does not offer anything groundbreaking as far as musical theater but it is an enjoyable evening of entertainment with a heartfelt message.