SOAP LAKE — The largest cast to ever perform at Masquers Theater debuts Friday in 'Li'l Abner,' a comedy based on a 1950s comic strip.

"I think it's one of the best musicals," said Director Eric Van Woert. "It's constantly overlooked."

The play takes place in the small town of Dogpatch, rated the most useless town in the United States. Alex Buchmann plays Abner, a young man who is too shy to make a commitment to Daisy Mae (Kylee Schlagel), the town beauty. Daisy hopes to catch Abner in the town's annual Sadie Hawkins Day race, which would require him to marry her.

The town operates with its own set of laws and lifestyle different from any other place, Woert said.

"Any other way is foreign to them," he said. Woert said the characters are corny, dressed in mismatched, bright clothing.

The play caught his attention about 15 years ago, when he first began directing plays. Just three or four actors from the set of nearly 45 had even heard of it before it was chosen.

Buchmann, a sophomore at Big Bend Community College, said his acting started in high school.

"I was never the lead role before, so it was kind of nerve-wracking," Buchmann said.

For Kylee Schlagel, 'Li'l Abner' marks her first play.

Both say the characters they play are nothing like their real personalities. Buchmann said Abner is not too smart and he hopes he is not as inept around girls.

Schlagel said Daisy is shy, and she is more outgoing.

"It's like night and day for me," she said.

The play debuts Friday at 8 p.m. and runs Fridays and Saturdays until Nov. 18. A Sunday matinee is offered Oct. 29, Nov. 5 and Nov. 12 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12. Reservations are recommended.

For more information, call the box office at 509-246-2611.