Special Contributor

The doors have opened for the 12th season at Arundel Barn Playhouse, located off Route 1 in Arundel, with the season premiere of “Suds: The Roarin’ 60’s Musical Soap Opera.”

Imagine stepping back in time to a 1960s Laundromat with bright colors of pink, green, blue, purple and yellow. Set Designer Christopher Rhoton has done his research with a setting that brings the audience back to colors forgotten and an atmosphere that projects fun. The Wash-O-Rama is home to Fluff & Fold, where customers come to drop off their soiled laundry, socialize and post advertisements on the local bulletin board.

 Suds begins as Colleen Gallagher (Cindy) opens the laundromat. It is her birthday but her whole world spirals downward when Ken Clark (the postman) arrives with the mail. Disappointment builds as Gallagher opens each letter. The final blow is a letter from her pen pal boyfriend that she has never met. He has found someone new. Gallagher’s facial expressions and mannerisms throughout the performance add humor to her unfortunate situation. Laughter bubbles from the audience as she opts to end her misery.

But wait, Suds is not a tear jerker. No, soon the laundromat is alive when Allison Frenzel (Marge) and Monica Willey (DeeDee) arrive on the scene. Yes, Willey is back for a second season at the playhouse. She delighted the audience last year as Belle in “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” Miss Flannery in “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” and Sister Leo in “Nunsensations.” 

Frenzel and Willey are guardian angels. Frenzel with bright red high heels and a cute dress and Willey with an elaborate 1960s hairstyle and a sporty Capri outfit are on the scene. Their assignment is to help Gallagher with her saddened state. “Wash, spin, rinse and dry. What could be more miserable than doing laundry on your birthday,” Gallagher says as Frenzel and Willey realize their assignment will not be easy.

Musical selections fill the theater as Gallagher, Frenzel and Willey transition from song to song of 1960s hits. Audience members sympathizing with lovesick Gallagher will find themselves remembering the 1960s with songs: “You can’t hurry love,” “Where the Boys are,” “Do you want to know a secret” and “I will follow him.” 

Clark, no longer the postman, dons many roles as a mechanic, a guardian angel, and yes, Mrs. Halo. He sometimes steals the show with his expressions and gestures as he acts out the characters. 

One particular scene, Clark enters the laundromat with no idea that poor Gallagher is being taught the boundaries of a relationship. Willey begins by singing “Big Man,” followed by Frenzel with “Respect” but the audience breaks out in laughter when Gallagher puts on her boots and sings “These boots were made for walking.” Costume Designer Kristina Makowski chose outfits that only add humor to the set. 

Musical Director Joshua Smith on piano, Michael Sampson, a student at Kennebunk High School as percussionist and Sarah Shapiro, a student at Chevrus High School as bassist, transition smoothly as the tempos for each melody change.

Don’t miss the New England Season Premiere of Suds at the Arundel Barn Playhouse. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. with Wednesday matinees at 2 p.m., and one Sunday evening performance on June 14 at 8 p.m. To make prepaid reservations, call the box office at 985-5552.