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What does a performer do after scoring two consecutive Tony Award nominations (one for a musical, one for a comedy) and winning a Drama Desk Award for his work in the ensemble of a highly acclaimed political drama? David Pittu's answer seems to be: write a musical confection that combines the elements of all three, in this case What's That Smell? The Music of Jacob Sterling, which opened last night at the Atlantic Theater Company's Stage 2 space in Chelsea.

Pittu not only supplies the book and lyrics for "Smell," but he also stars as the titular Sterling, a composer-lyricist who's been up-and-coming for some twenty years. The scenario is quite simple really, on the eve of Sterling's Broadway debut, he's been asked to appear on a low-budget TV talk show, hosted by Leonard Swagg (Peter Bartlett), an effete and gushing interviewer who might consider himself musical theater's answer to James Lipton of "Inside the Actors Studio."

During the course of "Smell," Sterling shares songs (music throughout is by Randy Redd) from his oeuvre, including the titular ode to New York, and from his upcoming Broadway work – a comic swipe at the commercialization of Broadway. Along the way, Sterling shares anecdotes about his career and other shows, such as a pretentious musical version of La Femme Nikita, which Sterling wrote for a one-time television teen heartthrob (a deft stab at star-casting on Broadway).

It's all breezy fun that billows only occasionally with darker subjects, but even when "terror" wafts into Sterling and Swagg's chit-chat, the effect is comic rather than chilling. This is true even when Sterling offers up his musical paean to the events of 9/11 (a song which is almost dangerously funny).

Co-directed by Pittu and Neil Pepe, "Smell" jaunts along with gleeful amiability on Takeshi Kata's re-creation of a cheese-y talk show set, complete with mini-proscenium arch with tracer lights. Bartlett preens and fauns to delicious effect and Pittu, with his hair moussed to an almost unnatural height and wearing a casually chic ensemble of gray, black and white from Martin Pakledinaz, makes gentle mockery of Sterling's self-importance. When Sterling performs his music (sometimes helped by three of his vocal students – played by Brandon Goodman, Matt Schock, and Helene Yorke), Pittu's delivery threatens to go over-the-top, but each time, as he stretches to what might be ludicrous, he stops short to grand effect.

The same can be said of the satirical jabs that blow through "Smell." They're pointed enough for those looking for something meat-y in their theatergoing, but they're also light-hearted enough to inspire the laughs that the show hopes to, and does, provoke.

---- Andy Propst

What's That Smell? The Music of Jacob Sterling plays at Atlantic Stage 2 (330 West 16th Street). Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are $35.00 and can be purchased by calling 212-279-4200 or by visiting www.ticketcentral.com. Further information is available online at www.atlantictheater.org.