Christopher Walken’s got “it.” Chide as you might, he’s got it. In bucketloads. Maybe not the same “i

Christopher Walken’s got “it.” Chide as you might, he’s got it. In bucketloads. Maybe not the same “it” as say Gisele or Brad Pitt, but there’s enough of “it” to make him an icon that awes/impresses/amuses/freaks out people all over the world. Producer-director Patrick O’Sullivan’s largely amusing “All About Walken” is featured at Hollywood’s Paul Gleason Theater.  The theater explores Walken’s elusive “it” with the help of a talented and diverse ensemble in a romp that spans Walken’s life and career through impersonations, songs and dance.

Conceptually, it’s brilliant: who doesn’t love to talk about Christopher Walken? And who doesn’t love to do Christopher Walken? “There are so many ways people see Walken,” says O’Sullivan, whose show is the result of this universal fascination. “[This is] how we see Walken.” And the cast obviously has a ball putting on their best Walkens: the wild eyes, the pausing cadences, the wild hair, and the adolescent crack in the voice. But maybe 80 minutes of it is a bit much, and there are one or two moments where the material wears a bit thin and even the charismatic cast can’t rescue some of the sketches from folding.

But the “All About Walken” ensemble makes up for more than enough of the rough patches as laughs come fast and furious for (nearly) the entire show. Michael Bayouth is the solid, strong backbone here with a Walken that is perhaps the most spot-on in the show and he handles his scenes with the sort of adroitness the show insufficiently needs.  Amy Kelly (who also manages the yummy Kung Pao Kitty across the street) is an absolute dynamo who thoroughly owns each and every one of her scenes — not only is her Walken impeccable, but her DeNiro is extraordinary and she is a gut-busting Jennifer Tilly. Kenzo Lee, likewise, is a relentlessly magnetic and wildly engaging presence that is on overdrive through the entire performance, culminating in leading the cast in a rousing, uproarious version of “Thriller.” Dionysio Basco demonstrates an impressive range, and does the wide-eyed Lily Holeman who always seems just shy of going off the deep end. (And when she does go off the deep end, it’s a total riot!)

Much like the man himself, “All About Walken” is often hilarious, at times a bit off, sometimes just plain wacky but, ultimately, thoroughly entertaining.

“All About Walken” runs through July 9^th at the Paul Gleason Theater, 6520 Hollywood Blvd.  Shows are Mondays at 8 p.m.  For more information call (310) 663-4050