Kathy Najimy brings the essence of Mae West to San Diego audiences in the Old Globe Theatre’s production of Dirty Blonde, a comedy with music that speaks loudly to obsession and softly to love.

Three actors serve up humor, song and dialogue, each taking on multiple roles in a fast-paced, 100-minute docudrama spiced with bits of old vaudeville. The production has two storylines — the first about the lives of two ordinary individuals who share their passion for Mae West; and the second, the purported life of the legendary Mae West. Kathy Najimy shares the stage with Kevin Chamberlin and Bob Stillman, the latter two actors reenacting their roles from the original Broadway run, in which both were nominated for Tony awards.

Jo, an aspiring actress, shares Charlie’s passion for Mae West. He’s a film librarian who met this oversexed icon as a teenager. They are both fans — obsessed enough to make a yearly pilgrimage to West’s gravesite, where they happen to bump into one another in front of her “drawer,” stacked away beneath other family members. The audience is invited into the distinct worlds of Mae, Jo and Charlie through a provocative pink set designed by Douglas Stein. The cubed set allows for easy changes from one venue to another, whether it’s Jo’s unkempt apartment or Mae’s classy high-rise. Lighting designer David Lander should be equally applauded for the subtly nuanced shadings of light and color that match the moods and time changes perfectly throughout the play.

The production begins with a description of exactly what a ‘tough gal’ is — alluding to the legendary Mae West .She’s a woman who does exactly what she likes, who walks like she knows you’re looking, and who doesn’t want to meet your mother. These are qualities that inspire both Charlie and Jo in their obsession with the late, but still incomparable, Mae West.

Adding to the historical portrait of West, Stillman tells the audience that she left home in 1910 and hasn’t been back since. The expected double-entendres and one-liners are sprinkled throughout: “When women go wrong, men go right after them;” “Too much of a good thing can be wonderful;” and “It’s not the men in my life, it’s the life in my men.” Najimy plays Mae at ages 17, 35, 60 and 85 — providing an honest essence of West, not the drag version showcased in Vegas lounge shows. Whether moving her fingers breezily through the air, shaking her body provocatively, or lightly touching her curvaceous body, the suggestions are right on and gently touch the spirit of the legendary bombshell who was once the highest paid female in the United States.

Charlie’s visit to West’s apartment only extends her daring-do reputation as she provokes and tantalizes her teen-aged, and presumably virginal, visitor — as any temptress would be expected to do. West gifts the geeky Charlie with one of her very own Schiaparelli gowns. Although Charlie may not be “as gay as a handbag,” he does show a distinct fondness for the gift received. Stillman capably multitasks as West’s aged ex-lover, her only husband and vaudeville piano player. Chamberlin portrays a tenderhearted character that is very hard not to like. He is a sexual innocent; the short, chubby, safe, boy-next-door. And, although he has his “secret,” he really wants to connect with the opposite sex.

Najimy’s Mae West character is evocative, but she shines as Jo. It is in this role as the wanna-be independent actress, imitating her mentor’s drive to ambition, that she comes to value the one thing that West was never able to enjoy — love.

For some fine singing, piano playing, walkin’ and a talkin’ like Mae West, head on over to the Old Globe Theatre and see San Diego native, Kathy Najimy, and I guarantee she’ll show you a real good time.

Dirty Blonde runs through Aug. 30 at the Old Globe Theatre. Call the box office at (619) 239-2255 for more information.