"Suds: The Rocking€™ '60s Musical Soap Opera" stars ( from left) Jessica Bradish of Des Moines, Molly Hammer of Kansas City, Mo., and Deborah Kennedy of East Amana. The Old Creamery Theatre's production opened Thursday, Aug. 4, and runs through Sept. 11, 2011, on the Main Stage in Amana.(Shelley Klimes/Old Creamery Theatre photo)

By Diana Nollen/ SourceMedia Group

AMANA — Heavenly harmonies are the hallmark of “Suds,” a frothy bit of fluff spinning through the summer at the Old Creamery Theatre.

Billed as “the rocking ’60s musical soap opera,” the show looks at the young and the restless Cindy, who is having the worst birthday imaginable and is about to give up on her one life to live. Molly Hammer of Kansas City, Mo., who has built a loyal Creamery following as Patsy Cline, gets to strut her funny stuff as well as her fabulous, versatile voice in this sweet role.

She’s the attendant at the Suds Wash-O-Rama, set in Anywhere, USA. At the top of her pile of woes, her penpal boyfriend has just dumped her, leaving her in the throes of woes. Her angst plays out through “End of the World,” giving Thursday afternoon’s opening audience their first glimpse of Hammer’s musical power. (8/4/2011)

In swoop two very different laundry customers, Dee Dee (Deborah Kennedy of East Amana) and Marge (Jessica Bradish of Des Moines). If Dee Dee is a bubbly Barbie, Marge is more of a sassy Midge. Their first group number, “Loco-Motion,” shifts the mood, setting the stage for hilarity.

Discovering just how low Cindy can go, they decide to help her sort out the brights from the darks of her despair. All of their dialogue segues seamlessly into a hit parade of girl-group songs perfectly suited to each situation and to each voice.

T.J. Besler of Manchester kicks the comedy up a notch as Man, playing assorted characters who move in and out of the action, weaving some magical musical moments through plenty of laughter.

His “Big Man” character brings down the house early in the show and gives the women the chance to belt out such powerhouse songs as “R-E-S-P-E-C-T,” “You Don’t Own Me” and “These Boots are Made for Walking.”

Several ballads melt in the mouths of these soulful singers, too, including “Where the Boys Are” and ”I Will Follow Him.”

The show isn’t just full of covers sung the way you’d expect. Toward the end of Act I comes an especially clever mash-up of  “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” “It’s My Party” and “I’m Sorry.”

Lively, bright scenery, stylish choreography and fanciful costumes and costume changes add just the right boost to this colorful show.

ARTS EXTRA

What: “Suds: The Rocking ’60s Musical Soap Opera”

When: Through Sept. 11, 2011; 3 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays

Where: The Old Creamery Theatre, 39 38th Ave., Amana

Tickets: $27 adults, $17.50 students, at 1-(800) 35-AMANA or www.oldcreamery.com

Information: www.oldcreamery.com