If "My One and Only" were in a beauty contest, the judges would give it a perfect 10 for the music and a 1 for the book. In other words, it's tempting to shout "Shut up and sing!" every time the actors start talking.

When producers decided to revive the 1927 George and Ira Gershwin musical "Funny Face" in the early 1980s, they chose to write a new book -- the original was considered hokey even in '27 -- and to add several Gershwin songs from other shows.

But watching this revival presented by Reprise! Broadway's Best at the Freud Playhouse, it's hard to imagine the original story was any worse.

And yet, hearing a dozen of some of the best songs in the Gershwin canon performed by a thoroughly enjoyable, magnetic cast and the always solid Reprise orchestra, makes the evening worthwhile. There's even some fun, if uneven, tap dancing to boot.

The 1980s book, by Peter Stone and Timothy S. Mayer, is an attempt to recreate the typical Depression-era love story, except with the unnecessary addition of several words that would garner a PG-13 rating.

It's 1927 and Captain Billy Buck Chandler (Michael Gruber) is trying to become the first solo flier to cross the Atlantic Ocean. But he begins to lose focus after seeing famed English channel swimmer Edythe Herbert (Rachel York), who now stars in an aquatics show produced by Prince Nikki from Russia (late replacement Richard Israel).

Despite objections from his tough gal mechanic Mickey (Vicki Lewis), Billy decides to meet Edythe, which he does with a bit of help from speakeasy owner Reverend J.D. Montgomery (Clinton Derricks-Carroll) and makeover guru Madam Magix (Betty Garrett).

The rest of the plot appears to be straight from a "Dudley Do-Right" cartoon, only not as funny.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a better duo to sing these classics than the charismatic York and Gruber. Their voices are timeless and enchanting.

And the material they are working with here is incredible.

Billy's love at first sight moment is accented by "Blah Blah Blah," an inventive number that includes some of Ira Gershwin's most purposefully babbling lyrics, engulfed by George Gershwin's lush and romantic tune.

Later, when Edythe and Billy are deserted on an island (don't ask), the pair sings their cares away with the classic "S'Wonderful."

And Gruber rouses the crowd with the stirring first-act finale, "Strike Up the Band."

The second act highlights are York's heartfelt rendition of "How Long Has This Been Going On," and Gruber and Garrett singing the show's title number.

The most famous song, "Funny Face," is an adequate duet by Lewis and Israel, though it has become more clownish than gentle and sweet.

Director Dan Mojica does what he can with the weak dialogue by keeping the pace snappy and having his cast deliver the lines as if they know the jokes are groan-worthy.

Mojica also fills practically every scene with high-energy, if unoriginal, tap dance routines. The best of these is performed by Gruber and the 87-year-old Garrett, who break the fourth wall and have some fun with the audience. After her solo dance, Garrett says, "Not bad for an old lady," which deserves resounding applause.

There's virtually no set other than a staircase placed in the middle of the orchestra. But that's all that's required, because it's the music that makes this show work.

This band, this cast and these songs are an unqualified hit, and well worth waiting through the silly dialogue to experience.