George Abbott lends his doft directorial touch to striking music by Leonard Hernstein and tingling choreography by Jerome Robbins, in this happy musical comedy about three sailors on a 24-hour leave in New York. "On the Town" dashes dizzily through two acts of mad-cap exuberance with acattered moments of wonderful originality.

Leonard Bernstein can hardly be called another Gershwin, but he is the closest thing to the great composer that America is likely to enjoy for a long time. The brilliant young prodigy goes from successes in the symphony "Jeremiah" and the ballet "Fancy Free" to an unspectacular but extremely arresting debut on the musical comedy stage.

His score ranges from ballet accompaniment with, animated gusto to lilting vocal melodies such an "Lucky to be Me" and "Lonely Town." Perhaps it is wishful thinking, but every note seemed to have the distant Gorshwin favor.

Since the tremendous success which greeted "Oklahoma" choreography, it has become fashionable for every bigtime show to feature ballet. Jerome Robbins, choreographer of Bernstein's "Fancy Free," has produced an energetic series of dance which are the high points of the evening. Sono Obato performs with such grace and precision; what she lacks as an actress is amply compensated for by poins and artistic elegance. "Miss Turnstiles," an imaginative ballet, pokes fun at the ephemeral grandeur of the young women who gain "Miss Something" titles.

Betty Comden and Adolph Green have written dialogue that is hurdly above average and often decidedly trite, but they redeem themselves in the delightfully daft lyrics of the hit number, "I Get Carried Away."

Oliver Smith had devised some unique flickering officers in the lighting which contribute to the rapid pacing and the general satirical undercurrent criticizing the whirl and rush of New York. The timing is shoddy now and the play lacks the sparkle of continuity that its mentors will undoubtedly give it before Broadway. ssh, olh.