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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

Theater Review: ‘Under the Boardwalk’ above-boards fun

In a rollicking trip down Memory Lane, an all-woman cast of friends reunite 30 years after their girlhood days when as a quartet they did a summer gig at the beach.

“Under the Boardwalk” is the result of them reprising their career and repertoire. They break out their pedal-pushers, tie their shirttails over their tummies and sing their hearts out at the Tiki Terrace Beach Café in the Outrigger Resort Motel.

“Under the Boardwalk,” directed by Stacey B. Yoder and Oliver Blatt, continues at the Pines Dinner Theatre through June 20.

The plot, a showcase for the music, takes the old friends back to the beach where they find that they still have hurt feelings from 30-year-old slights and perceived poaching of a “hunky” boyfriend. They retell their stories about missed opportunities and regrets, but emerge as best friends forever.

Rhonda (Stacy Bechtel), Cindy (Stacey B. Yoder), Betty Jean (Amber Blatt) and Kirsten Almeida (Melissa) each in turn take the lead on songs while the others lend solid backup.

The sheer fun of listening to these big voices relive their musical past cannot be overrated.

The ensemble’s comedic talent lends an extra dimension to the songs, all of which were top-of-the-chart songs in their day.

The song about a girl who would not come of the water because of her “Itsy Bitsy Tiny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” was sung while wearing full shirt and pedal-pushers, but cleverly choreographed with hands, arms and body posture to suggest extreme shyness, the theme of the song.

That humor surfaces often as in when Cindy (Stacey B. Yoder) belts out an incorrect spelling of “Respect.”

Rhonda (Stacy Bechtel) is that one friend who has to have everything explained to her. She excels as a comedian during the dialog that makes up the texture of the story.

Bechtel, also a fine vocalist, sang a delightful “It’s My Party.”

Betty Jean (Amber Blatt)’s “Where the Boys Are” and “You Don’t Own Me” are pitch-perfect and typical of all the songs offered by the cast of “Under the Boardwalk.”

Melissa (Kirsten Almeida) sang “Wedding Bell Blues” with the clear tones that resonate on the heart strings.

Stacey B. Yoder and Oliver Blatt designed the costumes which set the nostalgic tone for a past time that fits the musical choices.

Orchestration, music and musical director is Stacy Bechtel.

Richard Gensiak’s lighting, especially in the opening scenes, is very effective at isolating the cell phone conversations between the old friends as they decide to get back together.

Tickets: www.pinesdinnertheatre.com; 610-433-2333