Three boys, two girls, and a quest for Miss Turnstiles in the world's greatest city marks just the beginning of "On the Town," now playing through December 6 at Paper Mill Playhouse in Milburn, New Jersey. The cast is a powerhouse and the sets and costumes take you back to the flavor of the Big Apple, circa 1944, in the heart of the war years when anything and everything can and did happen. But let's begin with three bell-bottoms on liberty.

Gabey (Tyler Hanes), Ozzie (Jeffrey Schecter) and Chip (Brian Shepard) are three sailors with only 24 hours to see New York City. Armed with Chip's father's 14-year-old guidebook and Ozzie's girl-crazy penchant for mayhem, they set off to see the sights. Gabey loses his heart on the subway to a pin-up girl, a poster of Miss Turnstiles, Ivy Smith (Yvette Tucker). The three decide to split up and meet at Nedick's, in Times Square, at 11 p.m., and then the fun really begins.

From the very beginning of the show, when Steven Ted Beckler's stevedore's beautiful orotund voice intones the lush and beautiful "I Feel Like I'm Not Out of Bed Yet," Patti Colombo's choreography seems like the work of two or three choreographers, with each group having a different style of movement, as we meet the denizens of NYC both, at street level and underground, in the subway. The dance is well-matched by the kinetic dynamism of Walt Spangler's sets, as they swoop in and out, changing and swirling like the madding crowds around our heroes, and Tom Sturge's lighting design directs the eye, in concert with Colombo's choreography. Bill Berry's direction keeps the pace moving like leaves in a whirlwind, perfect for Fall, though the action is taking place in June. There is never room for the cast or the audience truly to catch a breath.

And how do our war heroes fare in the Big Apple? Worlds collide when Peoria-born Chip meets Hildy Esterhazy, energetically portrayed by the amazing Jennifer Cody. Cody's wise-cracking Hildy quite literally and frankly sweeps Chip off his feet and into a walk-up apartment in nothing flat. Hildy explains to Chip that everything he wanted to see in the guidebook is either no longer there, has been outdone, or could certainly be seen after a visit to more-um-personal sights! Mmmm, and she "can cook, too!"

Meanwhile, Ozzie has gone to what he thinks is MoMA and turns out to be the Museum of Natural History, where his destiny awaits in the form of anthropologist Claire DeLoone, played by Kelly Sullivan. Sharp theatre patrons remember Sullivan well from her recent success as Pam Lukowski, career woman, in Paper Mill's recent production of "The Full Monty." When Claire removes her glasses to get a better look at Ozzie, her primitive man, sparks fly and Ozzie's search for Miss Turnstiles also comes to a different end than he'd imagined. Complications like Claire's fiancé, Judge Pitkin, are best left for later. Bill Nolte plays the judge in a resonant and rich style, as a stodgy character, who has clearly kept Ms. DeLoone somewhat grounded.

Gabey is on the hunt everywhere and happens upon Ivy quite by accident while Madame Dilly, Ivy's voice teacher, has gone out for a bit of liquid courage. When you hear Ivy, you'll know why Madame Dilly needs it! Harriet Harris' expert physical comedic touches render Madame Dilly fully, as she tries to make Galatea from a lump of vocal clay.

Club-hopping with the sailors and the girls is also good fun, especially when Tari Kelly, who does triple duty appearing first as Hildy's roomie, dowdy Lucy Schmeeler, transforms, à la NYC, appearing as Diamond Eddie's Club Singer Diana Dream, then doing a quick change to appear as Dolores Dolores at the Conga Banana Club! Listen closely to the song at each club.

Each of the cast members performs the theatrical hat trick-dancing, singing, acting-with crack timing and something going on every moment. There are laugh-out-loud moments, tender moments and, especially during the ballet sequences, moments of great pathos and beauty. Gabey's dream ballet, with army soldiers and red streamers, symbolizing bellicose mayhem that wraps him and his dream Ivy in tangled webs of intrigue, are eventually broken through and he and Ivy meet in one another's arms-but will the dream become reality? You need to see the show to find out.

Treat yourself to an evening of stellar theatre! "On the Town" is on stage Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are now on sale and range in price from $25 to $92. Student rush tickets are $20 and are available, on the day of performance, in person, with current student ID. Tickets may be purchased by calling 973/376-4343, or at the Paper Mill Box Office on Brookside Drive in Millburn, or online at www.papermill.org. This gift you give will be a treasured memory for years to come.