‘The Gods of Comedy’ opens at PowPAC on Friday

What happens when two present-day college professors and some ancient Greek gods collide? Find out in “The Gods of Comedy,” which is opening on Friday night at PowPAC.

Poway’s community theater is presenting Ken Ludwig’s play through through Dec. 7.

“Two professors find an ancient Greek manuscript, then promptly lose it,” said director Melissa Malloy. “They conjure the ancient Greek gods to find it and chaos ensues.”

Malloy said she is a longtime fan of Ludwig and his plays, but she was not familiar with this one until she was asked to direct it for her second time at PowPAC.

“I absolutely love Ken Ludwig and jumped at the chance,” she said. “I couldn’t stop laughing while reading the script. Watching the performance is even more hilarious. I’m so excited.”

Malloy said she likes Ludwig’s work because “he embraces the farce within his shows.”

Mistaken identities are a key component of his storylines, she said, which lead to a lot of “belly laughs.”

The seven-member cast consists of PowPAC veterans David Dartt, Amy Dell, Jamie Feinstein, Eliza Huf and Kevin O’Connor Jr, along with PowPAC newcomers Chris Lange and Katelyn Slater. Some of them play multiple roles.

“The cast has great chemistry together,” Malloy said.

The two-act play starts in a Greek marketplace, then switches to a college professor’s office. The second act takes place in a college courtyard.

“This is a very complicated set,” Malloy said. “We have a wonderful set designer, Christy Reid, who created a wonderful, whimsical set that brings the magic needed for the scenes.”

Because the play has “a lot of sexual innuendo … not so much language but tongue-in-cheek and making out,” it is recommended for high school age and older audiences, she said.

The play is a “much different comedy” from her first time directing at PowPAC last fall. Then it was the political comedy “The Outsider.”

The El Cajon resident said she has been involved in theater since first stepping onto the stage as an actor at age 13. She earned a bachelor’s degree in theater from the University of Colorado Boulder, but did not pursue theater professionally. She has performed in many productions in Texas, Colorado, Seattle and in San Diego since moving here a decade ago. She has also directed several shows throughout the county.

“The Gods of Comedy” can be seen at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, plus 2 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 7. There will also be two Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. on Nov. 22 and Dec. 6.

Tickets are $27 for general admission; $25 for seniors, students and active-duty military; and $23 each for groups of 10 or more. Buy at powpac.org, email boxoffice@powpac.org or call 858-679-8085.

PowPAC is at 13250 Poway Road on the second level of the Lively Center. There is an elevator in the back for those who want to avoid the stairs.

During the run of this show, PowPAC will be accepting new, unwrapped toys that will be given to the Toys for Tots program to brighten the holidays for local children.