When it comes to romantic comedy, love is a prickly, wonderful thing.

Take playwright Michele Berdinis’ “Italy,” which runs through Jan. 30 at Funky Little Theater. Angela (Tracy Hunziker) is a successful movie producer in L.A., but after her husband dies, she’s convinced that she’s too old – and too “droopy” – for love. The lead actor of her newest film, William (Steve Sladaritz), is working hard to persuade her otherwise, but it’s a bit of a slog.

On the opposite coast, Angela’s daughter, Diana (Nicole Goeke), is dealing with her own heartbreak: She has discovered her sleazy boyfriend is fooling around. In the wake, she becomes a witch – or something that rhymes with it. Sweet, nerdy Sam (Justin Anderson) stumbles into her life, but after a dinner only 33 percent enjoyable, walks back out.

Throw in Berdinis’ often witty dialogue and it’s almost “Sleepless in Seattle” meets “Something’s Got to Give.” Late in the first act, for instance, William tries to nudge Angela toward love while pretending to deliver a monologue. (Theater/film references and jokes abound in “Italy.”)

“Why don’t I have any lines,” Angela protests. “I have things that I want to say.”

“That’s precisely why you don’t,” William replies in a posh British accent.

Witty can be challenging, though, and for about half of the first act, the actors were finding their feet with it. By the act’s end in this second performance, most had it well in hand.

That said, this is a new work – Berdinis’ first full-length production, director Chris Medina said – and the wrinkles aren’t completely ironed out.

The first act could use tinkering, especially in establishing Angela’s character, which is too broadly drawn. An early scene that illustrated/explained her insecurity would go a long way to grounding the character. A second act exchange that precipitates an emotional outburst from Angela rang false, like a hollow mechanism to move the piece along.

Perhaps most troubling is the rom-com predictability of “Italy”: Each twist and turn comes right out of the Nora Ephron playbook. And the ending? You’ll see it coming from 50 miles away. Which is too bad because these characters have the possibility to be a lot more than shadows of Diane Keaton and Meg Ryan.

Finally, Berdinis sometimes felt like she was trying too hard to be clever, especially in her dialogue. I love the ambition, but every line doesn’t need to be worthy of Oscar Wilde – or even Ephron.

Although Hunziker struggled with her lines here and there, she delivered the slightly wacky, slightly sad Angela’s physicality and emotional life with some convincing flourishes. And when she finally gives into amore, Hunziker beams like a searchlight at a Hollywood opening.

Kudos also go to Sladaritz, who conjured the mild-mannered William with grace and timing that got better and better as the play went on. You couldn’t help but fall in love with his kind, patient and deeply romantic William. And as is required in all great romantic comedies, the chemistry between the pair was delicious.

As played by Chip MacEnulty, Angela’s quirky sidekick George was rock solid. Completely believable and dapper to a fault (thanks to costume designer Delaney Hallauer, who also dressed Hunziker with a quiet elegance), he was a commanding, hilarious presence that nevertheless made enough room for the other characters to breathe. Outstanding.

The cast of “Italy,” a play by Michele Berdinis at Funky Little Theater through Jan. 30.

Tracy Mobley-Matinez Saturday December 13, 2014. Photo by Jeff Kearney

Jeff Keaerney