STEVE DUNKELBERGER: LAKEWOOD CLEANS UP THE HOUSE WITH ANGRY MUSICAL >>>

So as a confession of full disclosure as a journalist, I have state that I had a few drinks with the cast of Lakewood Playhouse's production of Angry Housewives after the show, but did not talk about the show or theater. Most of the chatter centered on the cute La Palma bartender and that our margaritas would have tasted better had alcohol been involved as promised. Although cast member Blake York offered to give the Weekly Volcano a verbal reach around if I mentioned his name in a review.

But that is a story for a different column.

While lots of fun, Angry Housewives didn't blow me away.

The story centers on Jetti, Bev, Wendi and Carol â€" good friends, but angry over the lack of respect from their men. So, they form a punk rock band, Angry Housewives, and take their local club scene by storm gaining new self-respect and renewed respect from their men.

OK, York. Here you go: Your small role as the butthead husband to Careese Robertson's character Jetta â€" while solid â€" is essentially the same dude you have played in different shows. It worked this time, but I expected you to bring more to the table.

Sheri Tipton anchored the housewives with her nails-on-chalkboard accent and deer-in-the-headlights glances. This equity actor-elect was the vocal powerhouse of the show.  However, Tipton's talent highlighted off notes elsewhere in the cast. Not that there were many. In fact, the off notes actually added to the plain-Jane mood of the show â€" in the same way fat dudes added to the working-class tone of The Full Monty.

Executive Director Marcus Walker nailed it as the grumpy boyfriend with a thing for honoring the fish that made him famous. His great sense of timing and nuance made the bit part more than just a plot device to tie up loose ends in the story.

Such was also the case with Aaron Berryhill as the son of one of the angry housewives as he battles not only with his own teen angst but also the fact that his mom's band is better than his. This young actor played the role of a young Sid Vicious caricature solidly and convincingly, that is, for playing a teen punk stereotype in a comedy where that is expected.

Overall, it's a show worth seeing.

[Lakewood Playhouse, Angry Housewives, watch out for harsh language, through Aug. 2, 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, actor benefit matinee 2 p.m. Saturday, $18-$24, 5729 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd, next to the Pierce Transit Center in the heart of the Lakewood Towne Center, Lakewood, 253.588.0042]

Photo: Angry Housewives’ Careese Robertson as Jetta, photography by Dean Lapin