COEUR d'ALENE - There are three reasons why the success of the comedy/musical "Pete 'N' Keely" depends a great deal on Abbey Crawford.

One, she's the director.

Two, she's the choreographer.

Three, she plays a main role as Keely.

If Crawford is at all worried, she's not showing it.

"I am surrounded by good crew and a fantastic musical director (Carolyn Jess)," she said.

That helps.

Plus, a funny, cheesy, fast-paced show is made for high-energy folks like Crawford who loves singing, joking and making others enjoy that light-hearted laughter.

"It's a lot of fun. Very funny, very fun," she said of the production.

"It's hard to come up with anything but funny and fun," she added.

"Pete 'N' Keely" runs just two weekends at the Playhouse. It's based on a book by James Hindman. Music is by Patrick Brady, and lyrics by Brady and Mark Waldrop.

It's the story of a former duo that had success, lost it and their careers spiraled down. They get back together to find that old fire that brought them to the top.

"A live taping of a 1968 television special reunites a divorced singing duo. As Pete and Keely stroll down memory lane reprising songs from their days of stardom, they take unscripted swipes at each other that dredge up hilarious moments from their turbulent past."

It's small crew - two in the cast, two backstage, three in the band.

Dan McKeever plays Pete's part. He and Crawford are longtime friends, so they click on stage, too.

"The chemistry works well because we know each other so well," she said.

Key to the musical's success, of course, is the music. And that's provided by bass player Angus Nunes, percussionist Bryan Swenland and Jess, the music director, also playing piano.

They play what Crawford called "hot jazz," "old school jazz," and "Frank Sinatra era jazz."

"The trio is fantastic," she said.

With triple duties, it helps that Crawford is well-versed in "Pete 'N' Keely." She, along with several others joining her this time around, performed the show four years ago.

That experience made it easier for her to direct, choreograph and act for the same production.

"There's a lot you have to balance," she said.

"I'm very clear and concise about how I want things done," said Crawford, who has directed "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Evita" and has had roles in "Nunsense" and "Cabaret."

She did note she can be demanding, no matter what's she doing.

"I'm a pain in the ass some times," she said, laughing.

As for the acting side of "Pete 'N' Keely," it's an emotional rollercoaster at times, evening exhausting on the stage for the two-person show.

Again, no worries with Crawford. That's theater.

"It's just so worth it," she said.

Because it's a short run, Crawford said many won't be able to see it - which is too bad.

She referred to "Pete 'N' Keely" as a "cheesy riot of BS," and said audiences will be rolling at the comical posing and preening.

"They are never going to see something like this anywhere else," Crawford said.

"To get all of the good feeling and cheesy at the same time, you're not going to find that."

"Pete 'N' Keely" is about an hour and a half, with an intermission. Guests will get in, laugh, have fun and get out.

A few tears could fall, too, and Crawford would be fine with that.

"Hopefully, at one point, you'll be moved to cry because we're so good at our jobs," she said.

If you go

"Pete 'N' Keely" performances at the Lake City Playhouse are scheduled 7:30 tonight and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, and next week at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday.