A high-energy revival of “Disenchanted” is now running at Old Academy Players. The show  first appeared Off-Broadway in 2012. With book, music and lyrics by Dennis T. Giacino, the musical gaily skewers the Princess figure in our fairytale tradition, especially as depicted in Walt Disney animations.

Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty jumpstart the show with an opening song and dance number, “One More Happ'ly Ever After.” Each petulant princess has the same gripe: she must be a damsel in distress, be rescued by a handsome Prince, then marry and “live happily ever after.” 

As Snow White, Carson Long exudes confidence. With the bitter taste of that poisoned apple still in her mouth, you sense Snow White is angry enough to rage all night. Instead, she slides into an emcee role where she uses a saucy, scoffing presence to goad fellow princesses into airing grievances.  

Kristen Spangenberg plays Cinderella. Snow White glides about the stage; Cinderella jumps in and out. You never know when she will pop up or what her nitwit reason might be. Spangenberg is a scene-stealer, but she shares the spotlight with the other princesses and their cameo antics. 

As Sleeping Beauty, Alyssia Sims is the third Grimm Brothers/Walt Disney star princess. This narcoleptic character, too, has an amusing unpredictability. Sims' strong-voiced "Perfect" sums up the show, a manifesto in the spirit of what we now label “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” Sleeping Beauty speaks for everyone when she sings, “I'm perfect, perfectly me.”

For the past several years, Annie Hnatko has directed one musical for Old Academy each season, drawing on her background as a concert opera singer in casting the show. As director, Hnatko has a knack for creating a brisk pace. This show runs for less than two hours, including the intermission. 

As a musical, "Disenchanted" eludes easy classification. "Oklahoma" and "Showboat" transformed the American musical genre into a form of storytelling theater. You could see this show as a throwback to the older notion of American musical as song and dance revue. But “Disenchanted” does not fit the revue classification, either. 

Giacino's lyrical lampoon of the fairytale princess is sharply feminist. He broadens the satire by ribbing other ethnic and sexual stereotypes. More in the spirit of cabaret fare, Giacino presents no storyline, no plot. Instead, 10 women sing their solos, often with goofy stage movement and zany antics.

Since its 2012 Off-Broadway debut, "Disenchanted" has become a community theater favorite. It is easy to see why. The show gives a large cast of young women a chance to act out an oddball persona. Goodhearted competition ensues. Who will be the most memorable comic star?

Some performances are notably funny. Lisa Sims shines as Belle from Disney's version of “Beauty and the Beast.” When she sings “Insane,” she pantomimes the ways society has driven her daffy. Amy Tarr is a cross "Little Mermaid" who resents the loss of her marine home. Courtney Bambrick's Rapunzel offers a hilarious Wagnerian sendup.

Other cameos satirize the glossing over of perceived injustices embedded in Disney animations. In “The Princess Who Kissed the Frog,” Alexa Archer wonders why it took a hundred years for Hollywood to come up with a black princess. As Princess Badroulbadour, Jiana Koshy wants Aladdin's princess to be known by her Middle-Eastern name.

As Hua Mulan, Sharon Yun gets to swing at two pitches: she ridicules the stereotypical portrayal of Asian women, and explains in "Without the Guy" that she is actually a lesbian. Isaura Sanguinetti's performance as Pocahontas is a little different. When she sings “Honestly,” wishing to unearth the truth about Native American life, it inspires more tears than laughter.      

Producer Steve Hnatko's bare stage gives actors room to cavort; his indirect lighting design is spooky. Carson Long choreographs the many ensemble song and dance numbers, but there is little unity of movement because all the women rejoice in their individuality. They are like a brood of gawky, newborn chicks, pleading to be seen and accepted for who they are. 

An abundance of comic talent acts out on the Old Academy stage. Fun-loving as the show is, playwright Giacino preaches a clear message: There is no ideal personality; be true to yourself and respect others.

Old Academy Players is located at 3544 Indian Queen Lane. "Disenchanted" will run through May 11. Tickets available at 215-843-1109.