Songs from Neil Sedaka's extensive catalog provide the musical foundation for The Pines Dinner Theatre's latest production, "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," weekends through May 10.

The setting for the play, written by Erik Jackson and Ben H. Winters, is Esther's Paradise, a South Pacific style resort in upstate New York's Catskill Mountains.

It is Labor Day weekend 1960 and Marge Gelman (Seana Benz-Feenstra) has reluctantly agreed to go on her honeymoon vacation after being left stranded at the altar. Her best friend, the star-struck larger than life Lois Warner (Martha Simmons), hopes the trip will enable Marge to let go of her troubles and perhaps find new romance.

The Brooklyn besties soon find themselves thrust into situations involving misplaced affection, unrequited love and a chance for stardom on "American Bandstand."

Pines Dinner Theatre's production of "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" begins the moment theater-goers arrive. The wait staff is adorned in Hawaiian shirts and specialty cocktail menus feature themed selections. Tropical music plays softly in the background, as attendees are whisked away to Esther's Paradise. The audience immersion continues via a few surprises, which won't be spoiled here.

The stage setting is simple and effective in conveying the atmosphere. All scenes in the two-act play take place center stage at Esther's Paradise or backstage and the transition is made via sliding panels.

Your host for the evening is Borscht Belt comic Harvey Feldman (Josh Neth). Neth, a Lehigh Valley stage veteran, has great comic timing and the audience responded well to the vintage cornball humor and rubber chicken gags.

Rounding out the ensemble cast is Joshua McWhorter, pitch perfect as the dastardly narcissistic Del Delmonaco, the resort's headline performer. Theater-goers will root for Cheryl Moritz, splendid as tough-as-nails Esther, beleaguered proprietress of the eponymous establishment and mild-mannered handyman Gabe, sweetly personified by James Sheahan.

Stacy Bechtel provides music accompaniment on piano for the production's 18 Sedaka songs. Bechtel is unobtrusively positioned in a corner of the room to allow full use of the small stage, utilized to great effect by director-choreographer Oliver Blatt.

The songs move the plot along and provide opportunities for each cast member to shine vocally and in dance. Simmons, in particular, has a flair for movement and physical comedy.

Benz-Feenstra and Sheehan have great chemistry and their scenes together are touching and engaging. Benz-Feenstra's Marge is simply adorable.

Audiences will find themselves clapping in synch and mouthing the words to Sedaka songbook classics such as "Love Will Keep Us Together," "Calendar Girl" and "Laughter In The Rain."

Sedaka's rich collection transcends generations and virtually everyone in attendance will be familiar with more than a few of the tunes presented. You may find some of the songs playing in your head for days afterward.

"Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" is yet another example of The Pines highlighting what it does best: presenting top-notch musicals in an intimate setting with creative production values, costuming and solid casting.

And when the curtain comes down on the final scene, you will be hard pressed to break up with this show.