The Pines Dinner Theater takes audiences on a rollicking road trip through 1950s and 1960s music with its tune-filled revue "Route 66" through June 24 at the theater at 448 N 17th Street, Allentown.
A cast of 4 performers dressed as auto mechanics sings and plays their own instruments on an astonishing string of 30 road and car-related songs from Jan and Deans ""Dead Man's Curve" to Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again."
A radio broadcast complete with vintage car commercials periodically sets the stage along the historic Route 66 from Chicago to Oklahoma City to Amarillo to Flagstaff to Los Angeles.
Of the four singers, Tim D. Zimmermann shines with a tenor rock-style voice and a strong falsetto that adds greatly to the quartets surf rock numbers. Zimmermann gives an Elvis-style vibe to "Hot Rod Queen" but really stands out on the haunting "The Long Red Line." The performance is enhanced by red neon and stars on the backdrop. Zimmerman, who plays electric and acoustic guitar, bass and drums, is particularly talented on the electric guitar contributing several well-done solos to the songs. Throughout the show, the performers switch on instruments. 
Michael Covel has an appealing boy next door look with an engaging country/folk style voice on songs like "Every Woman I Know," "The Mother Road," and the fun "Long Tall Texan." Covel is the most theatrical of the group to good effect. He also was adept on acoustic guitar and drums.
Luke Hodgson is smooth as Mr. Cool with his omnipresent sunglasses and adds a musical theater flair to his solos. He impresses with his a cappella rendition of Roger Miller's "King of the Road." He also plays drums and bass, on which he excels.
Oliver Blatt, director and Pines Dinner Theatre Artistic Director, rounds out the quartet and provides the comic relief, lending his voice (and accordion) to the novelty songs like "Girl on the Billboard," "Beep, Beep," and "Diesel on my Tail." He also plays piano and bass.
The performers have good chemistry with plenty of playful moments from Hodgson impersonating the "Little Old Lady from Pasadena," Covel donning a wig to join Zimmermann on "Truck Stop Cutie" and the amusing stage movements and "giddyups" on "Long Tall Texan."
Other highlights include the nicely done "Used to Be," the act one ending "Truck Drivin Man" that had the audience clapping along and the classic title song "Route 66."
Stacey B. Yoder designed the singers appropriate-looking mechanic coveralls. The set effectively places the performers in an auto service garage, while a cars front end (complete with fuzzy dice) adds a touch of whimsy to the novelty songs.
Tickets are $32 and include a seat for the show. All appetizers, entrees, desserts and beverages are available for purchase ala carte.
Entree options include chicken Caprese, homestyle pot roast, striped Pangasius, grilled shrimp skewers, filet mignon, fettuccine Alfredo with broccoli and butternut squash ravioli.
Audiences are welcome to BYOB.
Times are 12:30 p.m. dinner, 1:30 p.m. show Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and 6:30 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show Friday, Saturday, May 12 to June 24.
For information, call 610-433-2333 or go to www.pinesdinnertheatre.com