See what awaits in the wings

Every so often, plays come along that give their audiences a peek backstage at the usually complicated lives of the show business folk who make you laugh, cry and sing.

Usually, such fare is written by playwright Ken Ludwig.

Ludwig, whose “Lend Me a Tenor” and “Twentieth Century” showbiz comedies have been glimpsed on local stages recently, also is the creator of the manic farce “Moon Over Buffalo,” the Huntington Beach Playhouse’s current production, opening Friday for a three-weekend run.

The play focuses on a bickering pair of fading stars who are shooting for one last chance at fame and fortune, only to get mixed up with a deaf grandmother, a forgetful fiancee, a drunk actor in the wrong costume, a newly pregnant actress ? and Frank Capra. While all this is happening, the leading actor isn’t quite sure if he’s appearing in “Private Lives” or “Cyrano de Bergerac.”

The playhouse has borrowed director Earl Byers from Huntington Beach High School’s Academy for the Performing Arts. Byers’ cast includes Avalon Alva, Scott Brown, A.J. Guitierrez, Rose London, Alec Malcynsky, Michelle Pedersen, Robert Purcell, Shirley Romano, Amy Rutledge and Brent Weber.

Performances will be given at the Library Theater in the Huntington Beach Central Library complex, 7111 Talbert Ave., with curtain Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 and 8 and Sundays at 2 and 7:30.

Tickets are priced at $20 for general admission and $18 for students and senior citizens. Reservations are being taken at the playhouse, (714) 375-0696 or www.hbph.com.