Directed by Miriam Barnett

• Performance times (Thur., Fri., Sat. at 8pm & Sun 7:30pm)

This "comic fable" takes place a long time ago in a remote Ukrainian village. The young and eager Leon Tolchinsky arrives in Kulyenchikov to answer their want-ad for a new schoolteacher. To his surprise, he learns that the village has been cursed with stupidity and that he, too, will fall under the curse if he stays there for more than 24 hours.

Leon falls head-over-heels in love with Sophia, the beautiful young daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Zubritsky. When he's told that the curse prevents Sophia from loving him in return, Leon resolves to break the curse, though many before him have failed. Count Gregor Yousekevitch, who proposes marriage to Sophia twice a day, does his best to thwart Leon's attempts to break the curse and woo Sophia.

A cast of lovable Neil Simon characters and Mel Brooks-style humor (heavy on the puns) combine to tell this tale with warmth and a gentle message.