Alvin has had enough. He sees civilization crumbling all around him and has decided to retreat into his high-rise apartment in Chicago and just stay there.

But when Karen moves in next door, a die-hard optimist with a high pressure job and a relentless ex-boyfriend who can't take no for an answer, the world comes crashing in. Alvin and Karen meet on their adjoining balconies and form a friendship that sets their two worlds on a collision course.

That is the premise for “The Balcony Scene,” a nine-scene comedy by Wil Calhoun and the final play of the season for The Actor's Speakeasy theater group.

“This is a little lighter than the last few plays we've done,” said director James Cantu. “The same kind of agile comic sensibilities that Calhoun brought to his television work is in evidence all through this play.”

Calhoun is an Emmy-nominated writer and producer for television shows “Friends” and “What I Like About You.” He is a native of Baton Rouge, La., and a graduate of the Louisiana State University Theater Program. In addition to his TV credits, his plays have been produced Off-Broadway at the prestigious Circle Repertory Company and the Circle Rep Lab in New York City, as well as The Empty Space Theater in Seattle, The Company of Angels Theater and The Met Theater in Los Angeles, The Buffalo Theater in Chicago and The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

The veteran cast of three is headed by Travis Lope and Kara Minute as Alvin and Karen and features Joe Pine as the ex-boyfriend, Paul.

Cantu also designed the lighting. Production stage manager and assistant director is Carole Estabrook.

The play is produced by Jessica Cantu with sound by Michele Foytek and scene design by Sarah B. Brown. Hilary Ford designed the poster and program.

If you go

What: “The Balcony Scene”

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: Auburn Public Theater, 108 Genesee St., Auburn

Tickets are available at the door