The summer theater season is in full swing.

Musical Theatre Guild's offering is “Suds: The Rocking '60s Musical Soap Opera” by Steve Gundersen, Bryan Scott and Melinda Gilb under the direction of Patrick Erkman.

And the cast is bubbling over with enthusiasm about the experience.

Erkman recently starred as the dentist in MTG's “Little Shop of Horrors” in the spring when he was directed by his wife, Tammy Mathas Erkman. Now he will be directing her in this production. The couple lives in Ellwood City.

“Our relationship grows stronger every time we do a show together. It is something we like to do together. There may be occasional disagreements over blocking and choreography or whatever, but we realize whoever is directing makes the final decision and we both respect each other in the end,” said Erkman of his dual role.

This is not the first time Erkman has directed this particular show with his wife in the same role.

“I had originally directed this show at the Red Barn Theatre last year. I had such a great time doing this show, and it was so well received at the Barn we decided to bring it to Butler,” he said.

Erkman sees the production as a way to step back into the past.

“I promise the set, the costumes and the sounds, thanks to Eric Kochahnowski, will bring everyone back to a simpler time. And wouldn't it be nice to go back for a while?” he said.

His wife plays the sweet girl Cindy role.

“Cindy is a simple girl with a cat, looking for love while working in a Laundromat,” Tammy Erkman said. “She turns to social media, which in the 1960s, turns out to be a 'pen pal.' ”

The show opens when the postman delivers some unexpected negative news to Cindy who is left reeling, until two women appear.

“Supposedly they are there to do their laundry, but they teach Cindy (through 1960s songs) that life is worth living and love is worth the heartbreak to finally make it to the 'Chapel of Love,'” Erkman said.

Paula Baptiste of Butler Township plays the character Marge, a tough broad with a heart of gold.

Baptiste described “Suds” as a musical comedy in which “two guardian angels come to the aid of their charge, Cindy, to help her through a rough breakup.”

“Through much hilarity and song-singing, they not only help Cindy, but come to some 'professional and personal crossroads' of their own,” Baptiste said.

Baptiste said she finds the show to be demanding because of its fast pace. “It has been a professional challenge to master the lyrics, dialogue and choreography, but it has been a wonderful experience,” she said.

The lone man on the set is David Halin, who will play all the male roles. Halin of Butler Township will play seven characters throughout the show, from the postman to the washer repair man. He said he enjoys stretching his comedic chops.

“It's challenging my comedic acting abilities,” said Halin, who most recently took the stage in “Little Shop of Horrors” as Seymour.

Halin said he enjoys the music and thinks the Butler audience will enjoy the trip back in time to the songs they grew up with.

“'Wonderful, Wonderful' by Johnny Mathis is my favorite one to sing. It sits well in my range, and I feel most comfortable singing it,” he said.

Other tunes in the show are “Color My World,” “Dedicated to the One I Love,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” “Do You Want To Know A Secret” and “Do Wah Diddy Diddy.”

The show also features Davlin Smith. It opens July 19.

<B>WHO:</B> Musical Theatre Guild<B>WHAT: </B>“Suds: The Rocking '60s Musical Soap Opera” by Steve Gundersen, Bryan Scott and Melinda Gilb<B>WHEN:</B> 8 p.m. July 19, 20, 26, 27 and 3 p.m. July 28<B>WHERE: </B>William A. Lehnerd Production Center in Memorial Park<B>TICKETS: </B>$17, available at May's Music Shoppe, 247 W. Jefferson St.