For its first production in the Hotel Alex Johnson ballroom, Black Hills Community Theatre presents a comedy about - what else? - the trials and tribulations of community theater.

Patrick O'Leary, executive director of Black Hills Community Theatre, describes "Luau for King Lear" as a spoof on community theater and the situations a company can run into - only more so.

"It's theater, so it's taken to the extreme to enhance the comedic values," O'Leary said.

After being with Black Hills Community Theatre for only one year, O'Leary has not had much time to discover what all can go wrong. Still, he does not believe problems the local troupe has encountered could ever compare with what attendees will see in "Luau for King Lear," which is directed by John Heuerman.

"In my experience, nothing we do could even come close to this by any stretch of the imagination," he said.

In "Luau for King Lear," the Peaceful Glen Memorial Players are about to mount a new production, but this time, it is a fight for their lives - or, at least, their stage. The company must prove they do "quality productions" to keep their building.

The director's defense that they performed "Twelve Angry Men" does not hold water, because it was carried out with five actors and seven mannequins.

Choosing the classic "King Lear" should save the day, until they learn at the last moment that it will have a tropical setting to match the town's celebration theme.

And so it becomes a "Luau for King Lear."

All sorts of oddball community theater types come out of the woodwork in this riotous farce, where attendees not only get to see the performance but also what goes on behind the scenes.

Although much of the humor is specific to community theater, O'Leary expects the audience will have as much fun watching "Luau for King Lear" as the players have presenting it.

"The great thing about a comedy is it's so universal," he said.

The remaining shows for the 2007-08 season are "Coyote on a Fence," a drama by Bruce Graham; "Amadeus," by Peter Shaffer; and "The Bible: The Complete Word of God (Abridged)," a farce by Adam Long, Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor, with additional material by Matthew Croke.

For details and information, call 394-1787 or go to www.bhct.org

If you go

What: Black Hills Community Theatre presents "Luau for King Lear"

When: Nov. 2-18, 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sundays

Where: Hotel Alex Johnson grand ballroom

Tickets: $18 adults, $16 seniors/military, $11 students.

Call 394-1787 or go to www.bhct.org

Wacky Wednesday: On Wednesday, Nov. 14, prices are $10 adults, $5 students; no reservations or season tickets accepted.

Contact Ruth Milne at ruth.milne@rapidcityjournal.com.