By MIKE DUNHAM

“True Tales of the Frozen North,” the mostly one-woman show, mostly written and performed by Linda Benson, mostly succeeds in spelling out the distaff side of the Gold Rush in a captivating 110 minutes (with intermission).

Benson’s authorial credit on the playbill is actually restricted to “compiled and created by…” The material is drawn from previous accounts, often left by eyewitnesses from the period. But her “created” contribution goes far beyond reworking the words of others, especially in the first half where she relates the experiences of the myriad genuine women who joined the stampede for one reason or another either as miners themselves, or as miner’s wives, nurses, hoteliers and laundresses straining the wash water to reclaim gold flakes caught in the mud of their customer’s clothes.

As the performer/creator, Benson animatedly shifts from one persona, accent or social class to another, swapping out costumes and reacting to the audience. Mugging and energetic, she’s by turns amusing, poignant, blustery and deflated – but always fascinating. Each monologue skit is just a few minutes long, so the pace keeps popping for the first quick hour. It’s as pleasing a combination of education and entertainment as I’ve ever seen on the Alaska stage.

Benson’s series of speedy character sketches in the first act is bookended by musical turna from an unnamed saloon keeper, Lynette Harple, and dance hall girl, Scarlet Kittylee Boudreaux. Boudreaux sings songs from the era in unabashed Red Hot Mama fashion and Harple accompanies her at the piano really well. The audience even gets to join in a couple of songs before the night is out.

The second half of this Gold Rush frolic doesn't quite pan out. For one thing, the format changes from solo skits to a trio scene in which Boudreaux threatens to leave the mud and snow of the camps and Harple tries to gently dissuade her while Benson, now appearing as sourdough Jack Hines (another real historical character, though a male one), recounts a couple of long tales in the tradition of Service or London. It’s really storytelling, not drama, which is good because on opening night there were a lot of missed cues, stepping on lines and other slips.

Nonetheless, this show is a treat for both residents and any visitors as may be in town for its brief run. With some more work, it could be a fine summer staple.

“True Tales” will continue at Cyrano’s, 413 D Street, at 7 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. and 3 p.m. Sun. through Aug. 30.