Gearhart is charismatic as gentlemanly bank clerk Paul Bishop, whom Addie secretly adores.
Lesley Shires and Tom Berklund play an attractive young couple who generously allow Addie to join in their tango act.
Librarian Addie Bemis, played initially with prim, ladylike dourness by Mary Bacon, lives a solitary life under the control of her abusive, alcoholic father.
But the real birthday girl is Addie, who finds rebirth and new resolve to take charge of her life during the course of her blithe adventure.
Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley, all 14, and Denise McNair, 11, were killed during Sunday services on September 15, 1963, at the 16th Street Baptist Church.
The entire supporting cast is period-perfect in their roles, including Karen Ziemba as good-hearted bar owner Gail, and James Prendergast as Dad Malone, Addie's kindly tenant who's also the bar's headwaiter.
When teetotaler Addie gingerly enters The Jersey Mecca Cocktail Bar, fearful of mingling with "scum" yet determined to meet with her handsome banker, (Todd Gearhart), she barely wants to look around, let alone sit down anywhere.
Bacon gives a solidly appealing performance, becoming increasingly vivacious and warm as Addie deems everyone in the bar to be her new friends, and determines, with intoxicated zeal, to make a play for the man of her dreams.
But encouraged by circumstances, her first Pink Lady cocktail, and a mirthful pair of veteran barflies (imbued with mischief by Darrie Lawrence and Nora Chester), Addie is soon belting out popular tunes at the open mike, cracking wise and knocking back drinks like a sailor.
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