Cozy ‘In a Booth at Chasen’s’

What: Who knows where romance will lead? The White House, perhaps? “In a Booth at Chasen’s” begins with a 1949 blind date between an emerging actress and the divorced movie-star president of the Screen Actors Guild. That means, of course, that this is the story of Nancy and Ronald Reagan.

Why this? The creative team behind this new musical includes Al Kasha, who wrote a campaign song for Reagan and became friendly with the couple. He and co-songwriter Phil Swann envisioned the show — with Sam Bennett writing the book — as a portrait of a smoothly functioning, productive partnership. “Nancy believed in him,” Kasha says. Together, the Reagans became more than the sum of their parts. The show covers the 27 months of their courtship, which led to them being the sort of couple who, as Kasha recalls, “could finish each other’s sentences.” This sense of intimacy is reflected in the fact that the couple are the only characters, and the show runs just 90 minutes. The music has a late-1940s flavor. Kasha is a two-time Academy Awardwinner for songs. Kay Cole directs the show, which is presented in the 360-seat main-stage theater at the El Portal.

Details: El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. 8 p.m. Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays (plus varied other times); ends Nov. 25. $24-$74. (818) 508-4200, inaboothat chasens.com

The 99-Seat Beat usually appears every week. Our reviewers shortlist offerings with an emphasis on smaller venues. Comprehensive listings are posted every Sunday at latimes.com/arts.