The great thing about a small cast, says Marina Kalani, is the bonding. Between audience and actors, that is. "With such a small cast, you're able to get to know the characters a little bit better," the director said Wednesday.

The great thing about a small cast, says Marina Kalani, is the bonding.

Between audience and actors, that is.

"With such a small cast, you're able to get to know the characters a little bit better," the director said Wednesday.

That's one of the many draws of "The Taffetas," a new musical at Lake City Playhouse that follows a four-sister group as they perform Golden Era songs on an Ed-Sullivan-like show.

With the cast comprised of only the four singers and an occasionally appearing TV announcer, it's easy for audiences to make a special connection with the actors as they croon old favorites, said Kalani, the show's director.

"I think there's some meaning to see characters who feel something about this music that I feel and the person next to me feels," Kalani said. "It underscores that common bond and sentimentality."

There's plenty of sentimentality to go around in this musical, which features hits from the '40s, '50s and '60s.

Some include "Johnny Angel," "You Belong to Me" and "Sh-Boom," Kalani said.

"This is music for a great many audience members," Kalani said, adding that about 90 percent of the show is musical numbers. "For me, the particular charm of this show is the music that takes us back to those happy memories that we tie into that music or that song or that genre in general."

Kalani, who has directed four playhouse shows, been musical director for three and performed in about eight, said the musical is solidly supported by actresses with impressive vocal abilities.

The Taffeta sisters are brought to life by playhouse veterans Emily Cleveland and Sarah Briggs, as well as newcomers Breanna Duffy and Kylene Peden.

Although the latter two are new to Lake City Playhouse, they have performed in the show before at their high school, University High School in Spokane, Kalani said.

"When we auditioned for the show, I joked that the easy move was to cast those two because they'd done it before, but they truly earned their way," she said. "Those two girls did it on their own. It really wasn't about having done it before."

The TV announcer is played by Andy Renfrew, also the show's assistant director.

"Our poor announcer. He was the one lone guy," Kalani said.

She also touted the work of Carolyn Jess, the show's musical director.

The show is scheduled to run today through June 20.

Folks can make reservations by calling 667-1323, or visiting the box office between noon and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays at 1320 East Garden Ave. in Coeur d'Alene.

Tickets run $16 for adults; $13 for seniors, military and students; $10 for children; and $11 per person for groups of 10 and over.

"The Taffetas" wraps up the 49th season of the Lake City Playhouse. Fitting, Kalani said, as many of the show's songs were on the radio when the playhouse first opened.

"People would have been listening to them as they were on their way to see a play 49 years ago," Kalani said. "That's a wonderful connection that shows what this playhouse is and how long we've been a part of this community. It underscores the value of keeping it around."