Occasionally, there walk among us pure souls spared the egotistical motives that keep the majority of humankind constantly on the lookout for avenues to self-advancement. We tend to label such creatures "holy fools" and fear for their welfare in a cut-throat world. Such is the tension that animates the fable-like Serenade, an offbeat and thoroughly winning new musical with a score by Nils Olaf Dolven and book and lyrics by Tony Award winner Rachel Sheinkin, now premiering at Teatro La Tea on the Lower East Side. Indeed, Sheinkin's script -- while overflowing with gentle lessons in loving-kindness -- manages to both eschew cynicism and incorporate plenty of quirky humor.

The play's protagon[...]