Unfortunately, "Courtin' Time" lives up to its name. It is a latter day "Oklahoma," but without any of the deftness and originality of the prototype. The musical comedy, which is based on Eden Phillpotts' play "The Farmer's Wife," goes something like this: A farmer in Maine decides he needs a wife, so he makes a list of available women. He proposes to them in rapid succession, is turned down by all, and ends up by marrying the hired girl--whom he really loved all along.

"Courtin' Time" is a patchwork-quilt of a musical. Parts of it are excellent--for instance, George Balanchine's choreography, and the lyrics and music of Jack Lawrence and Don Walker. But at the same time the show has some of the most bideous costumes and scenery, by Saul Bolasni and Ralph Alswang respectively, that have ever been seen in these parts; William Roos' book is only occasionally funny and seldom original; and many of the performances are below par. The result is a show that has its bright spots but is often tiresome.

Lloyd Nolan plays the farmer with a gay abandon that makes one wonder whether he's taking the "Courtin' Time" seriously. At any rate, he does the best job with his part, which is, of course, the best in the show. He kicks and tosses the hand props around, slides down ropes, and does gymnastics. Once or twice he even lapses into his movie-gangster argot. Some of the better supporting performances are handled by Billie Worth, Effle Afton, and Katherine Anderson.

Alfred Drake's direction is generally aimless. As a contrast, in the dance numbers George Balanchine keeps a firm grip on things. The dancing ensemble is energetic and good, and soloists Peter Conlow and Gloria Patrice are a pleasure to watch. Balanchine's choreography is of the rough-and-tumble sort. At one point Monday night the orchestra trombonist looked a little worried about being hit by a flying chorus girl, but the danger soon passed.

If "Courtin' Time" were consistently on the level of its score and lyrics, it would be a refreshing musical. Instead, it is a spotty affair that leaves you wondering whether it was worth sitting through the poor parts for the good ones.