SUAVE PICKUP—From left, Vittorio (Francis Cabison) flirts with Charity (Jeanna Gillespie) as his jealous girlfriend Ursula (Sarah Schindler) watches in “Sweet Charity” playing at Moorpark College through March 28. For tickets, call (805) 378-1485. How does one find true love in a cold town like New York City? Charity Hope Valentine doesn’t know, but she’ll keep on trying in “Sweet Charity,” Moorpark College’s spring musical.

This show is the first combined effort of the theater arts, music and dance departments. The result is a grand spectacle of music and dance that, upon closer examination, has more pizazz than plot.

Charity (Jenna Gillespie) is a dance hall hostess in the 1960s who bounces from one unhappy love affair to another. She’s so desperate for love that she’ll stick with the worst guys. And she’s so hopeful—or naive— that when one jerk dumps her— literally, into a pond—she’s positive he’ll return. Her friends and coworkers at the seedy dance hall— Helene (Jennifer Foster) and Nickie (Kristle Protacio)—wise up to the shabby treatment Charity receives long before she does.

One night, Charity bumps into movie star Vittorio (double cast with Brenden MacDonald and Francis Cabison) outside a swanky nightclub just as his date, Ursula (Sarah Schindler) storms off in a huff. Abandoned, Vittorio snags Charity simply because she’s handy. She’s delighted, of course, but, in a fine bit of comic timing, she ends up spending the night in Vittorio’s closet and not his bed when Ursula returns.

Charity’s attempt to improve her character takes a startling turn when an elevator failure leaves her stranded with Oscar (Dave Wright and Brent Ramirez), who’s shy, neurotic and claustrophobic. He takes a liking to her—has she finally found her one and only?

The large cast sings and dances up a storm. The show features fewer songs than most musicals (music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields), but each one’s a classic.

The dance hall girls, bored and burned out, drum up customers with a sexy “Big Spender.”

When Charity’s in Vittorio’s room, she belts “If My Friends Could See Me Now,” and when she’s in love with Oscar, she feels like “I’m a Brass Band.”

Nickie and Helene rage about their lousy jobs in “Something Better Than This” and poke fun at Charity’s hopes in “Baby Dream Your Dream.” The cast gets silly in the hilarious “I Love to Cry at Weddings.” Every tune is a toe-tapping rouser.

The dance department struts its stuff with the outstanding “Rich Man’s Frug,” where the aloof and detached well-heeled kick up their heels.

Neil Simon penned the script, more a series of vignettes than a tightly woven narrative. We jump from one event to another with not much glue connecting the pieces. For example, the soulful “Rhythm of Life” and hippie rave-in presents a highly entertaining piece that does little to advance the story.

Most disappointing is the abrupt ending that leaves Charity exactly where the play began. The girls are still stuck in their dance hall jobs and Charity is once more out of love and out of luck. After spending more than two hours and 30 minutes with these characters, the audience deserves more of a payoff. Has Charity learned anything from her experiences? Maybe, but the final moments are vague and none too hopeful.

For those not counting on the traditional happy ending, the play offers plenty of candy for both eye and ear. The tech crew is up to the challenge of the multiple settings, which range from inside an elevator to a cab at the top of a stuck Ferris wheel.

Gillespie is a radiant, energetic Charity with plenty of hope and goodwill, although at times she seems too confident for someone who attracts losers. Foster offers plenty of sass and a powerful singing voice.

We’d like to see more of Herman (Ari Stidham), the longsuffering dance hall owner. And Wright is hilarious as his composure melts and his nerves snap inside the stuck elevator.

The bold, brassy music is provided by an excellent full-pit orchestra.

Kudos to director John Loprieno, musical director Vail Keck and choreographer Beth Megill for tackling the difficult project.

The show continues through March 28 on the Main Stage, Performing Arts Center, Moorpark College. For tickets and information, call (805) 378-1485.