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I’m no biblical scholar, but I don’t recall God and the angels praising creation in song and dance. And I definitely never heard of Eve doing a power ballad about how it sucks being expelled from Eden. Clearly, the York Theatre Company’s "Falling for Eve" isn’t aiming for the gospel truth.

This silly, sentimental and sometimes clever show re-conceives the Book of Genesis as a gently irreverent musical comedy. The score, by composer Bret Simmons and lyricist David Howard, runs a gamut of styles, from jazzy showtunes to R&B and light rock. Holding it together, more or less, is Joe DiPietro’s amiable, joke-stuffed book. DiPietro, you will recall, won the Tony for his work on the Broadway musical "Memphis." Although the seasoned scribe can craft a punch line and set up a song, no one ever accused him of great depth. Then again, this is a lighthearted fable, not a lesson in theology.

At its best moments, the mix of whimsy and fantasy recalls Stephen Schwartz’s "Wicked" -- campy, but full of heart. In it, God -- doubly acted by Adam Kantor and Sasha Sloan, and two angels, played by Jennifer Blood and Nehal Joshi -- oversee the creation of heaven, the earth and man. Adam, infused with innocent wonder by the adorable Jose Llama, is joined by Eve, the pretty and strong-lunged Krystal Joy Brown. You know how the story goes: Eve bites the apple and is banished from the garden, but there’s a twist. Adam is left behind, lovelorn. Ultimately, when Adam chows down on forbidden fruit, it’s because he’d rather be cursed than alone.

"Falling for Eve" is only 90 minutes, but the last third still drags with too many numbers when stronger book scenes would help, and the story loses steam after Eve leaves the garden. Still, the piece succeeds as a summer diversion and the appealing, talented young cast makes a joyful noise.

These are the lean weeks of summer, not much to see. But if you’re stuck in the city, "Falling for Eve" is worth a trip back to Eden, even if it doesn’t reach the divine heights of musical theater.