MY! VERONA! If you have time this weekend for innovative light entertainment, get up early and wait in line for free tickets to Two Gentlemen of Verona, the musical revival playing in Central Park through Sunday night. I just managed to catch Friday night's performance...and it was marvelous!

This lively, freewheeling, colorful production may represent a major step forward for director-choreographer Kathleen Marshall, who (together with some other Encores! cohorts) does wonders with skateboards, scooters, jump ropes, and nods to blaxploitation and martial arts movies. Among the many strong points are the show's politically resonant lines and songs, hunky Paolo Montalban's hammy portrayal of Eglamour, Urinetown veteran Megan Lawrence's cheeky comic turn as Lucetta, and a scene-stealing dog named Buster, trained by William Berloni.

Also memorable is conductor Kimberly Grigsby, who directs with a sensuality that is alluring to the point of distraction. At many musicals, only diehard music fans stay until the end of the exit music, but Grigsby's performance seemed to persuade many more to stay. Their cheers and cries of "More! More!" led to a quick instrumental encore with more dancing from Grigsby. The spectacle even caused Lauren Bacall and her companion to pause on their way out — quite an achievement! (Grigsby already has a reputation as something of an exhibitionist.)

All audience members were encouraged to help victims of Hurricane Katrina by leaving donations for the American Red Cross.

Tickets to Two Gentlemen of Verona can be obtained at 1 p.m. at the Delacorte Theater and the Public Theater. Expect long lines, so show up as early as you can. People who lined up at the Public at 9 a.m. on Friday got great seats.

If you can't make it Saturday or Sunday but would still like to see the musical, there may be hope. I wouldn't be surprised if the production lives on at a different venue. Perhaps it will even turn up at Encores! That great series just announced two of its three revivals for the upcoming Encores! season. They are Kismet and 70, Girls, 70. The mysterious third revival will be disclosed after September 15.

But still, try to see the show now if you can. You'll have a great view of Buster, especially if you bring opera glasses.

Photo: David Marc Fischer