Classic American comedy. It's what's for entertainment on Racine's community theater stages this month. Both the Racine Theatre Guild and the Sixth Street Theatre will open their seasons with shows that have been making audiences across the United States (and beyond) laugh for many years.

Larry Shue's "The Nerd," at the Theatre Guild, and Neil Simon's "Barefoot in the Park," at the Sixth Street Theatre, tell very different stories, yet both have wide appeal. And, since "The Nerd" opens this weekend and "Barefoot in the Park" next weekend (and both run for several weeks), theater fans here will have the opportunity to laugh their way through September and into early October.

RTG stages classic farce 'The Nerd'

The fun starts with "The Nerd," a farce based on the misadventures of an unwanted house guest and his host, who feels he must welcome with "The Nerd" because he owes him his life. The nerd, otherwise known as Rick Steadman, shows up on the doorstep of Willum Cubbert, an aspiring young architect who he saved from death while both were GIs during the Vietnam war. Having never met Steadman before, Cubbert is excited by the opportunity to meet the man who saved his life. Before long, however, he and the other guests at his home, discover the truth about Steadman - that he is a bumbling, offensive oaf.

The result is a comedy that is a little over the top, yet still within the realms of probability of what could happen in someone's life, said Norm McPhee, director of this production.

"I guess that's what intrigues me about it," said McPhee, who also directed this show at the RTG 18 years ago. "I love farce ‑ it is a little more broad (than other comedy) and plays a little bigger."

The director is also a big fan of Larry Shue, who wrote "The Nerd" while he was an actor and playwright in residence at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Shue died at age 39 in a 1985 plane crash.

"I had the opportunity to meet him and see him perform, and I am so sorry that he left the world just as his work was becoming well known," said McPhee. "He was a very funny guy."

Shue's legacy lives on with "The Nerd" which, after debuting in Milwaukee, went on to London and became the highest-grossing American comedy in the history of the West End. It also set a box-office record at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater when the Rep revived the show in 1996.

"It's entertainment," McPhee said. "There is no real message here, although someone could probably find one if they looked. I just hope people get a kick out of it and enjoy themselves."

The RTG production of "The Nerd" will feature John Strack as Steadman; Chris Smith as Cubbert; Lori Minetti as Cubbert's girlfriend Tansy; Brian Schalk as Axel; and Ron Halverson, Diane Shelby and Conlan Ledwith as Cubbert's boss and his family. McPhee, who led the RTG from 1969 to 2001, is guest directing the show which opens Friday (Sept. 5) and runs through September 28. The rest of the Racine Theatre Guild season includes:

* "Beauty and the Beast," by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman and Tim Rice (book by Linda Woolverton); Nov. 28 - Dec. 21

* "Dearly Departed," by David Botrell and Jessie Jones: Jan. 9 - Feb. 1, 2009.

* "Leading Ladies," by Ken Ludwig: Feb. 20 - March 15, 2009.

* "Godspell," by Stephen Schwartz (book by John-Michael Tebelak): May 15 - June 7, 2009.

BONUS PLAYS:

* "Steel Magnolias," by Robert Harling: Oct. 24 - Nov. 2.

* "The Boys Next Door," by Tom Griffin: April 17-26, 2009.

All shows will take place at the Racine Theatre Guild, 2519 Northwestern Ave. Individual ticket prices range from $14 to $18. Season ticket packages (five shows) run between $50 and $65; and flex pass packs are $65-$104 and include from five to eight admission coupons. For more information or to request a brochure go to http://www.racinetheatre.org or call (262) 633-4218.

OOHP open with 'Barefoot'

"Barefoot in the Park" is a bit of a departure for the Over Our Head Players (the Sixth Street Theatre's resident theater troupe), who tend to present more contemporary - and often edgier - comedies. As Neil Simon's first major hit, "Barefoot" opened on Broadway in 1963 (with Robert Redford and Elizabeth Ashley in the cast and Mike Nichols directing) and went on to become the playwright's longest-running show with 1530 performances.

Inspired by Simon's marriage at the time, it tells a story of the relationship between a young, rather rigid lawyer and his free-spirited new bride who relishes things such as a barefoot walk through a snow-laden park. Written at a time when people got married before they lived together, it takes a humorous look at the struggles of cohabitation - especially when love is involved.

Despite its original setting of 1960s New York City, "Barefoot" is a timeless tale that touches most everyone, no matter where they live, said Rich Smith, director of this show and artistic director of the OOHP.

"Simon is really good at putting people in situations that everyone in America can relate to," he said. Those watching the play feel like they know the characters on stage because they know someone just like them in real life, he explained.

"It's like the audience is on the inside."

The OOHP's decision to present Simon's classic comedy grew out of the group's desire to keep challenging itself by trying different things, as well as its efforts to reach new audience members, Smith said.

"If you are going to reach back and do retro American comedy, you've got to look at Neil Simon. And this is the best of what Neil Simon does. It is my personal favorite. It captures all of his style, comedy and fun."

And, it really isn't that far off the Sixth Street Theatre path, the director said.

"This is so inside the box, it's outside the box."

Meanwhile, the rest of the OOHP season will feature a wide range of comedy, including its annual Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival and the return of last year's new multi-media Theatre/Schmeatre productions.

"We figured since we were doing old school comedy for the opening, we'd really mix it up for the rest of the season," Smith said. "We want to make it a different experience for the audience every time they come in."

The OOHP cast for "Barefoot in the Park" features Nicolette Lalor, Heidi Jenkins, Joseph Piirto, John Burns, Phil Lyden, Joshua Jamison and Jerry Rannow. The show opens September 12 and runs through October 4.The rest of the Sixth Street Theatre season includes:

* "The Ice-Fishing Play," by Kevin Kling: Nov. 7-9, 14-16, 21-22 and 28-29.

* "2009 Snowdance 10 Minute Comedy Festival," Jan. 30 - Feb. 1, Feb. 6-8, 13-15 and 20-22 (plus Wed. night shows on Feb. 4, 11 and 18).

* "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead," by Bert V. Royal: March 27-29, April 3-5 and 10-11.

* "Theatre/Schmeatre," all new sketches by the OOHP: May 15-16, 22-23, 29-30 and June 5-6.

HOLIDAY BONUS SHOW:

* "The Santaland Diaries," by David Sedaris and Joe Mantello (plus a second surprise show): Dec. 12-13, and 19-20.

All performances will take place at the Sixth Street Theatre, 318 Sixth St. Tickets to individual shows are $12 to $15 each. Full season tickets (five shows, bonus show not included) are $60 per person. Light season tickets (four shows) are available for $49 and Sunday matinee packages (four matinee shows) are $44. For more information, call (262) 632-6802 or go to http://www.overourheadplayers.org

And, for a free taste of what the OOHP offer, stop by the Sixth Street Theatre during Downtown's Party on the Pavement on Oct. 4. The OOHP will performing three 10-minute comedies in rotation from 12 to 4 p.m. that day. Racine Children's Theatre

Children's Theatre

The Racine Children's Theatre will kick off its 76th season Oct. 3,4 and 5 with a production of "Julius, The Baby of the World," based on the book by Kevin Henkes. "Julius," which will feature music by Gregory Berg and Scott and Michelle Dalziel, is one of four productions featured in the RCT's 2008-09 season. Look to future editions of the Journal Times' Out & About section for more information on these shows, or go to http://www.racinetheatre.org

Lakeside Players kick off season with comedy

Kenosha's Lakeside Players are also opening their 2008-09 season this weekend with "Of Grapes and Nuts," by the Illegitimate Players, at the Rhode Centre for the Arts, 514 56th St. This show, which runs Sept. 5 through 20, is a parody/tribute of John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath" and "Of Mice and Men," written by the same folks that brought "A Christmas Twist" to the stage. Tickets range from $10 to $12. For information, including ticket outlets, go to http://www.rhodeopera.org or call (262) 657-7529.

The rest of the Lakeside Players' season, which is their 35th, includes:

* "Little Shop of Horrors," by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman: Oct. 17-19, 24-26 & 31 and Nov. 1, 2, 7 & 8.

* "A Christmas Cactus," by Eliot Byerrum: Dec. 12-14, 19 & 20.

* "Charlie and The Chocolate Factory," based on a book by Roald Dahl, dramatized by Richard R. George: Jan. 16-18, 23-25 and 30-31, 2009.

* "Cheese Louise" by the Illegitimate Players: March 13-15, 20-22 and 27 & 29, 2009.

* "The Attempted Murder of Peggy Sweetwater," by John Rustan and Frank Semarano: May 1-3, 8-10 and 15-16, 2009.