COEUR d'ALENE - Looking for a good laugh of epic proportions?

Check out the Lake City Playhouse.

The comedy, aptly named "Epic Proportions," opens tonight at the Playhouse to kick off its run through March 4.

"For many, the need to kick back and just laugh, I mean really laugh, at something ridiculous will be a breath of fresh air," said Playhouse artistic director George Green. "If you enjoyed our productions of "Sorry! Wrong Chimney!" or "Dearly Departed," then this is your kind of show."

It's directed by Doug Dawson, who happens to be the right man for the job.

"Doug's comedic ability lends itself perfectly to this show," Green wrote.

Here's a brief description of the one-hour, 30-minute, two-act play:

"Two feuding brothers, a love interest, an incompetent crew, a missing director and 3,400 extras try to make the largest epic film ever ... in the Arizona desert. What could go awry?"

Plenty.

Add in a talented cast of 13 including Dawson (who has what he calls a small part), and brilliant script, you've got what you need for a feel-good performance.

"It's been fun," he said.

Dawson, a man who likes to joke around, has been in the director's chair during rehearsals, then shifted gears, to run on stage to play his role. When he needed to keep directing, though, what then?

"I just sit out there and yell my lines," he said, chuckling.

The Spokane man and longtime actor has a bachelor's degree in theater from Eastern Washington University. This is his return to directing after a 15-year hiatus, mostly at the urging of Green.

"George has been bugging me about it," Dawson said.

He said reading the script of Epic Proportions at times had him laughing out loud.

"I'm loving it. I love comedies," he said.

With this play, he wanted to create an atmosphere of high, fun "ridiculous energy."

He credits his cast with their success of doing just that.

"It's become quite a collaboration, creating the funny moment on stage with me at the helm," he said. "Everyone is committed to making the audience laugh and have a good time."

Dawson does want to caution the audience about a potential medical problem from seeing Epic Proportions, which he promises will deliver an evening that's "absolutely hysterical."

"You will leave with your stomach and your face hurting from smiling and laughing," he said.

If you go

"Epic Proportions" runs Feb. 17 through March 4 at the Lake City Playhouse. Show times are 7:30 p.m., Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sunday.