New musicals can be hit or miss, but the new show "A Kiss From Alexander," now playing at the Bailwick Arts Center, definitely deserves a future beyond its current production. Originally presented as part of the Bailiwick's Pride Series this summer, the show has proved so popular that it's extended into the fall.

Written by Stephen Deghelder, the show's premise is fun: a director fascinated by the life and love story of Alexander the Great decides to mount a campy tongue-in-cheek off Broadway musical ("Alexander Was Great") mocking the Greek hero. The guardian spirits of Alexander's legend are so incensed by this that they send Alexander himself to stop the show. Alexander is offered the title role in the musical about his life, and begins to feel a connection to the director, who may or may not be the reincarnation of his lover Hephaestion. Throw in a bevy of bitchy chorus boys, a diva plotting revenge for the theft of his part, and a lovelorn stage manager who's more than he appears, and you've got a delightful evening on your hands.

The show itself is very old fashioned in a good way. There's plenty of witty songs a la Jerry Herman or the show "Chicago," as well as some nice ballads between Alexander and his love. Some of the songs (particularly the "Choose Me, Choose Me" and "An Immodest Proposal" sequence in act two) try to squeeze in a few too many verses before the audience's patience wears thin, but many of the lyrics are laugh out loud funny.

In addition, there's real dancing on the stage. In the Bailiwick's hankerchief sized studio space no less! Choreographer Brenda Didier is to be commended for providing such impressive moves on such a small stage, and Graham Kurtz (playing Alexander) and chorus boy Danny Starr deserve special praise for handling some of the trickier steps.

And speaking of the actor playing Alexander; newcomer to the Chicago theater scene Graham Kurtz makes a, well, great impression in the title role. Adam McNulty (playing the director in the show's extension) is adorable. And John Cardone as the scheming diva (or should it be "divo?") is beyond hysterical, with flawless comedic timing.

"A Kiss From Alexander" is a great choice for audience members who appreciate traditional sounding musicals that push the envelope in the same fashion as "La Cage aux Folles" and "Kiss of the Spiderwoman" (the latter, by the way, is coming to the Bailiwick later this season).

Bailiwick Arts Center; 1229 W. Belmont; ;$25-$30. Through Sept. 25; 8 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 6 p.m. Saturday; 4 p.m. Sunday