RICK LEWIS' latest installment in the Taffetas series, A Taffeta Wedding, transports audiences back to 1964 when doo-wop music ruled the airwaves, and there was nothing classier to wear than taffeta. In this Tabard Theatre premiere, the stage is set for the musical wedding of the century when the Taffetas, the singing sisters from Muncie, Ind., get married to the Cardigans, their male doppelgangers, in front of a live television audience. As both groups perform hits from the '50s and '60s before their quadruple wedding, an event transpires that leaves the sisters questioning their love and their wardrobe.

The sisters Peggy, Kaye, Donna and Cheryl are able to weave their voices together to create a strong four-part harmony. While there are times when the soprano notes overpower the other voices, those times are few and far between. When the girls are in sync, they sound as fluid as performers that have been working together since childhood, especially on "Mr. Sandman." Like any boy band, the Taffetas fill the roles of different stereotypes to distinguish themselves and to entertain. Shannon Ryan as Donna is the "cute one," complete with squeaks when she is happy and childish pouting when she is hurt. Cheryl, played by Robyn Winslow, is the "sexy one"—Betty Boop incarnate. Her voice is giggly without being obnoxious, and her obliviousness is charming. Hayley Lovgren's Peggy is the "strong one," the only one to embrace her anger with hilarious results. Finally, Diane Milo (the only returning cast member; she played Kaye in The Taffetas and A Taffeta Christmas) is comfortable in her role, but she tends to slip through the cracks with no discernable personality type.

The Cardigans are able to combine their pitch-perfect tone with great comic timing in songs like "Running Bear" and "Sh-Boom." The real showstopper was "Unchained Melody," in which Mike Amaral's lead vocals were unchained. Ben D'Angelo, Greg Goebel and Tim Reynolds were able to provide the beautifully controlled backing that gave the song emotional crescendos. All of the men were able to take lead turns with ease, including D'Angelo, whose surprising range was able to reach a basement bass.

The set was dressed up as a "Happily Ever After" television show, creating the illusion with applause signs, fantastic lighting and the host, played by Ron Packard. The constant pitches for the show's sponsor provided laughs, but the best gimmicks featured audience participation. Although the campiness could have been played up more for humor, the show had its charm with tongue-and-cheek pokes at Stepford Wives tendencies. This show will either inspire some humming or the desire for a root-beer float.

A TAFFETA WEDDING, a Tabard Theatre Company production plays Thursday–Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 3 and 8pm and Sunday at 2pm through Nov. 14 at Theatre on San Pedro Square, 29 N. San Pedro St., San Jose. Tickets are $10–$24. (1.800.838.3006).

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