THEATER REVIEW:

Musicals come from the darndest places. Some are born in historical novels (“Les Miserables“) while others spring from real history (“The Sound of Music”). Several have found their genesis in old Billy Wilder movies (“Sunset Boulevard,” “Promises Promises,” “Sugar”).

A few have based their inspiration on foreign films — “A Little Night Music” began life as Ingmar Bergman’s “Smiles of a Summer Night,” while “Zorba the Greek” begat “Zorba.” It’s in this category that you’d find “Nine,” the current attraction at Golden West College.

“Nine” is the musical version of Federico Fellini’s 1963 movie “8 ½,” which itself was based on Mario Fratti’s Italian play involving a movie director with a weakness for beautiful women who’s facing a period of creative blockage. It’s one guy supported by 22 women — how do you get work like that?

By being exceptionally talented, that’s how. And Patrick Rowley fills that bill with a strong voice and equally powerful, understated sex appeal. Rowley enacts the troubled director with a winning, almost guy-next-door attitude, sharing his doubt and vulnerability with the audience — and with several ladies in his onstage harem.

And these gals are more than supporting players, even though they’re relegated to cameo episodes in Guido Contini’s lusty life. A handful of them exhibit voices you wouldn’t expect to hear outside an opera house.

There’s Marilyn Morgan, playing Guido’s long-suffering wife, who finally says “enough” in a stirring solo, “Be On Your Own.” There’s Carrie Millard, a blond bombshell in a skin-tight diaphanous leotard who warms up the stage with her sultry presence, and Robyn Yamanaka, as an actress who’s played the same character in many of Guido’s movies, with a torchy “Unusual Way” tribute.

Two voices rock the hall above all the others, however. These belong to minor characters played by Carrie Theodossin as a proud Parisian showgirl headlining the “Folies Bergeres” and Natasha Grach, revving up the action in an earthy rendition of the tambourine-slapping number “Be Italian.” Neither advances the story, but both are terrific. Young Brendan Williamson is splendid in the role of Guido as a boy (he shares the part with Nick Slimmer). Sandra Paradis brings the outside world in as Guido’s concerned mother.

Under the baton of Bruce Bales, as conductor and musical director, and against a beautiful Euro-modern backdrop from set designer Sigrid Hammer Wolf, “Nine” sparkles delightfully at Golden West, even with some excess baggage, such as the half-dozen German women cavorting at a Venetian spa.

“Nine” may remind you a bit of Bob Fosse’s “All That Jazz” without all the smoking and fatalistic references. It’s an intriguing tale of a man’s career journey and the many setbacks, usually female, along the road.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: “Nine”

WHERE: Golden West College, 15744 Golden West St., Huntington Beach

WHEN: Closing performances 7:30 tonight through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday

COST: $18 to $20

CALL: (714) 895-8150

TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.