Talk about serendipity: Twenty years ago, the San Diego Repertory Theatre was set to do a '60s musical when the production rights fell through.

An ambitious friend of actors Steve Gunderson and Melinda Gilb told the theater that he had a '60s show ready to go. He didn't, but he also didn't want to miss the opportunity to produce a show at the Rep.

"So we wrote one in three weeks," said Gunderson, who co-wrote "Suds: The Rockin' '60s Soap Opera" show with Gilb and Bryan Scott (creator/producer of TV's "Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List"). "We had absolutely no idea that it would go on for decades."

"Suds" is filled with 50 popular '60s tunes, such as "Mr. Postman," "Walk On By," "Our Day Will Come," "Where the Boys Are," "It's My Party" and "The Locomotion." It was one of the first of what became known as "jukebox musicals" that are built around pre-existing songs. Others that followed include "Crazy for You," "Smokey Joe's Cafe" and "Mamma Mia!"

The story is a little more involved than most jukebox musicals. The story centers on Laundromat worker Cindy who gets bad news on her birthday -- so bad, she tries to kill herself in the spin cycle. Then two guardian angels appear to cheer her up, only to fail. Finally another angel appears in disguise and gets the job done.

"In the beginning, this show was truly original," said Gunderson, who is now directing and appearing in the show with Gilb at the Welk Resort Theatre. "It took people by surprise. They thought it was just about the songs, but the story has some unusual twists and turns."

The show had a revival at the San Diego Rep 10 years ago with Gunderson and Gilb returning. Since then, the longtime friends have worked together many times, including on the Rep's "Christmas Carol" and in the Old Globe's "Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" musical (they play Mama and Papa Who).

"It hasn't been by design that we've been cast together so often," he said with a laugh. So it seemed natural for them to come back and do this show together. Joining them is the original choreographer, Javier Velasco.

After 10 years, many San Diegans may not remember the show.

"Each time, the runs for the show have been around six weeks," he said. "That's not a long run. So, for a lot of people, this is a new show."

After all these years, that white lie turned out to be a good thing for everyone involved.

"I'm thrilled that this show has gone on," said Gunderson. "It's been a nice thing in my life."

"Suds: The Rockin' '60s Soap Opera"

When: opens Thursday and runs through June 21; showtimes, 1:45 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

Where: Welk Resort Theatre, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido

Tickets: $58-$63, includes buffet lunch or dinner; $44-$47, show only

Info: (760) 749-3448

Web: www.WelkTheatreSan Diego.com