And then there's "A TAFFETA CHRISTMAS."

Reminiscent of NUNCRACKERS, the NUNSENSE show produced last December at Arena Dinner Theatre, the show's premise is a TV broadcast of "Hometown Holiday Hoedown." But rather than the modern-day Hoboken, NJ, of NUNSENSE, the Taffetas broadcast from the Moose Hall in Muncie sometime in the early 1950s. 

The brightly festive stage, designed by Jonathan and Beth Sandmaier, sets the tone for the show, complete with flashing lights and a disco ball, which gives the illusion of snowflakes on the backdrop. 

Fans of FOREVER PLAID will enjoy this similarly nostalgic spoof, which was written by Arthur Whitelaw and Rick Lewis. In fact, the plaid-skirted dresses, designed by Louise Heckaman, appear to pay homage to the past Civic favorite. 

Cleverly directed by Phillip Colglazier and choreographed by Gary Lanier, the show stars Jaime Shoup as Kaye (with sandy brown hair), Samantha Teter as Peggy (with red hair), Emilie Stanley as Cheryl (with dark brown hair), and Ericka Anderson as Donna (with blond hair). 

Each of the four performers has the opportunity to shine individually with solo numbers (most notably Jaime Shoup), but the real treat is the tight four-part harmony, brought together by music director Eunice Wadewitz. The blend is nearly seamless and sound technician Paul Moring does an excellent job with the individual sound levels. Almost never does one voice stand out, and that is the true test of this musical style.

The music may not be for everyone, but even the metal-head I dragged to the show with me was impressed by the professional sound of the singers and of the band, which included Donna Noble on keyboard, Tom Dawkins on bass, and Ken Jordan on percussion.

Although the show may seem to appeal more to an older audience, it brought me back to the early '70s watching "Lawrence Welk" with my parents. The utter cheesiness of the dialogue between songs, the over-the-top kewpie-doll innocence (perfected by Ericka Anderson as youngest sister Donna), and the silly but comical poses and perky head tilts, are done with perfect comedic timing. The innocence of the era is constantly reinforced, particularly when boy-crazy Cheryl (Emilie Stanley) lists her favorite male stars -- all of whom we now know were gay.

Like any good lounge act, the sisters enthusiastically chirp after many songs about how much "special meaning" that song has for them. That enthusiasm extends to such numbers as "Shrimp Boats Is A-Comin'" and "Jambalaya." And unless you watched Lawrence Welk as religiously as I did, you have never heard those songs sung quite like this.  

Another highlight of the show occurs early on when Peggy (Samantha Teter) and Donna sing "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" in Pig Latin, for all the "Pig Latin Lovers" in the audience. 

Like the NUNSENSE franchise, this one has opportunities for audience participation. A special appearance by the girls' cousin Warren, who is dragged onstage from the audience, and who seems quite taken aback to be recognized as their cousin, brings down the house.

In today's cynical and nervous atmosphere, we all need to visit or revisit a simpler time when our worst trouble was a shiny face or the question of when we should steal that first kiss, and where everyone works together in perfect harmony. A TAFFETA CHRISTMAS will take you there.