THEATER REVIEW:

If you’re feeling nostalgic for those TV variety shows of the ‘70s — those upbeat mixtures of comedy sketches and musical numbers — then check out what Orange Coast College has to offer this weekend.

Following in the footsteps of Carol Burnett, Flip Wilson, Sonny & Cher and Dean Martin, OCC has compiled a program entitled “Man Smart, Woman Smarter,” a musical and comedy revue focusing on the ever-raging battle of the sexes.

The title song, which opens and closes the show, is an old Harry Belafonte number from the 1950s that sets the tone musically and thematically. Director Alex Golson has culled a collection of comical material reaching back to Euripides and forward to Christopher Durang and the late Wendy Wasserstein, as well as some student-originated material.

The latter pair wrote one of the OCC show’s highlights. Entitled “The Durang Harangue,” it’s a spoof of Euripides’ “Medea,” with Veronica Vaters excelling in the title role of a woman scorned and ready to mount a counteroffensive. (No deceased kids here, though; this is the comic version).

If you’ve ever had a frustrating visit to the Department of Motor Vehicles, you’ll get a special kick out of “DMV Tyrant,” with James Barrett as a hapless driver seeking a license renewal and Laura Palacios as the bureaucratic clerk he encounters.

Shakespeare’s ladies have their say as the program opens with several actresses quoting the Bard on various societal relationships. A section on coffee house blackouts runs on a bit too long, as does a funeral parlor skit near the end (though David Chorley is outlandishly hilarious as a mega-mourner).

Where the show really clicks is in the musical numbers. Marilyn Morgan channels Aretha Franklin for “Respect,” Mia Merlino injects infectious energy into “I Will Survive,” and Erika Baldwin resurrects Julie London for an aching “Cry Me a River.”

Equal opportunity is offered to OCC’s male singers. Jesse Geller headlines the show’s title song, Patrick Blankenship helms a Coasters-like “Poison Ivy,” and Danny Diaz fans memories of Elvis with his rendition of “Hard Headed Woman.”

“Man Smart, Woman Smarter” is a nifty showcase for the musical and comic talent being nurtured at OCC.

Orange Coast College will perform 10 one-act plays, all but one of them original, next week at the school’s annual spring One-Act Play Festival. The production will run from Wednesday through May 20 in the Drama Lab Studio Theater.

The festival is a project of the OCC Repertory Theater Company, now in its 22nd season. The one-acts will showcase the talents of the student directors, actors, designers and playwrights.

Tickets, priced at $6 in advance or $7 at the door, may be reserved at www.occtickets.com or by calling (714) 432-5880. Curtain times are 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday.