WALLACE –– Everyone loves a sequel ... Right?  

That’s exactly what writer/director Terri Robinson and the cast of “Laugh-In, Even Louder” are hoping for with the opening of their new show this week at the Sixth Street Melodrama and Theater, 212 Sixth St., Wallace.

The show is the direct sequel to one the theater performed in March 2023, and Robinson hopes to recapture the lighthearted, psychedelic magic that made “Laugh In, Out Loud” a hit.  

Robinson explained that her show is an homage to the NBC series “Laugh-In,” which ran for 140 episodes during the late '60s and early '70s. Hosted by comedians Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, the show featured sketch comedy and music, while also tackling the era's complex political and social themes. During its run, Johnny Carson, Sammy Davis Jr., John Wayne, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Phyllis Diller and even President Richard Nixon appeared on the show.  

“I wanted to do something fun and 'Laugh-In' was this funny, and dumb show that everyone loved in the '70s,” Robinson said. 

Much of the “Out Loud” cast has returned, but there are a few new faces. Robinson is once again joined by Paul and Carol Roberts, Susan Hendrixson, Scott Peterson, Gwyneth Faye, Ed Warren and Carl Rowe. Joining them are Mark Owsley, Tim Arnhold and Joy Persoon. 

The show will have audiences belly laughing one minute, then singing at the top of their lungs the next. Whether it’s the girls covering songs by the teenage heartthrobs of the time, or the hijinx of the Some’Other Brothers, played by Paul Roberts and Rowe. And no one should miss Warren’s haunting rendition of Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale."

Robinson explained that during the first show, everyone enjoyed themselves so much, it made sense to do it again. Plus, they had barely scratched the surface of their '60s and '70s source material.   

“We had so much fun last time,” Robinson said. “It’s all come together really nicely.” 

"Laugh-In, Even Louder" opens at 7 tonight and will run for the following three weekends with shows Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. through Nov. 17.  

Visit the Sixth Street Melodrama and Theater Facebook page or go directly to sixthstreetmelodrama.com for details.

    Is that a hunk of burning love? Or is it Paul Roberts? It could be both, but you'll have to check out "Laugh-In, Even Louder" at the Sixth Street Melodrama and Theater to find out.