The lights go up on the stage.

A young woman, dressed in mid-1600s attire, is seated in a grand sitting room. She is gazing longingly, nay, lovingly, at a photograph the audience cannot see.

The music cues up — no, it cannot be!

Dear God, it can be. She begins to sing “You Light Up My Life” to the photo — and the laughter at the Carousel Music Theater (where else?) begins.

The season opener, “Murder a La Moliere” is loosely based on the Jean-Baptiste Moliere play, “Tartuffe,” a tale of complex relationships, hidden agendas, romance and deception within the walls of one wealthy Parisian family's estate.

This version centers around a troupe of college actors who are in rehearsal, putting on this twisted take of the novel. All of the characters from the novel are portrayed in the production, along with a somewhat dubious stage manager who goes by the name of Pony.

In fact, each time his name is mentioned by one of the student actors, the lights in the house flicker mysteriously, reminiscent of the horse neighing in “Young Frankenstein,” each time someone said Frau Blucher.

Theater owner Robb Barnard and Mary Miller co-authored the madcap play, which includes lines from the original work. Barnard made some very interesting song choices, but then, doesn't he always?

After the Debby Boone number at the outset, each time an actor prepared to sing, this reviewer held her breath and thought, “What would he have them sing next?”

These actors rise to the occasion, making a show that could prove difficult to pull off, pure enjoyment.  Without their sense of timing, and their ability to blend just the right amount of camp and exaggeration to their characters (without going over the top) makes this musical a success.

Many folks think comedy is easy, but nothing could be further from the truth. So much of what makes “Murder a La Moliere” work is the talented ensemble: Jennifer Pagano and Sarah Miller, both of Maryland, William Dallas Swenson of New York, Kathleen Perry of South Carolina and Ian Pruneda of California.

Pagano portrays Madame Pernelle, the mother of Orgon (Swenson). Perry portrays Mariane, the Orgon’s daughter, who desires nothing more than to marry the man in the photograph, Valere, but, alas, her father prefers to give her hand in marriage to Tartuffe (Pruneda).

Orgon, who in his middle age has become rather absurd, doesn't realize that the man he sees as pious, giving, charitable and true is actually a lecherous man with fantasies of himself and Madame. He is a hypocrite (the meaning of Tartuffe) of the highest order, and his lust will be his undoing.

The character of the maid and Mariane’s companion, Dorine (Miller), sees through Tartuffe, nay knows first hand (hand being the operative word here) of his true lascivious nature.

In a scene with the two, she sings Carly Simon's “You're So Vain,” at Tartuffe. He playfully denies her accusations while simultaneously being amused and flattered — all communicated through gesture and facial expressions.

The maid shares her knowledge about Tartuffe with Marianne and the two set out to expose him. Eventually they convince Madame of Tartuffe's duplicity and all three work together to convince Orgon of the duplicitous nature of this friend he worships.

Carousel's pianist is also a character in the show: Pete is misses the cues to begin another song and can be seen fumbling through the sheet music while the actors give him what-for from the stage.

While we're on the music, other songs include Billy Joel's “Just the Way You Are,” Dan Fogelberg's “Longer Than” and Stevie Wonder's “Superstition.”

When Pony's body is discovered backstage, the actors accuse each other for offing him.

There are more twists and turns before this Carousel production comes to a close, all of which will have you almost laughing yourself to death!

Pagano's physical comedy is deftly executed (apparently this Madame Pernelle is not surefooted), something that is also not so easy to do.

While on the subject of action not easy to do, at the Carousel Music Theater cast members are also each audience's wait-staff. While taking and serving dinner (choice of sandwich, soup/chowder and dessert) and drink orders, they are performing in a cabaret — as soloists or as a group.

During the cabarets you will hear others in the audience saying, “Oh I love this song,” and quietly singing along, or to each other. This cast, Pagano the soprano (who gets to “show off” a few times), Kelly a mezzo soprano, alto Miller, baritone Swenson and tenor Pruneda, sing beautifully together and as soloists. 

And when it comes to singing, Barnard's nightly serving of “Sara Lee,” while the cast dons costumes and get into character, is perfection, always finished off (staying with a theme here) with delicious rousing applause.

“Murder a La Moliere”: It's a killer comedy playing at the Carousel Music Theater through July 19. For more information or to make a reservation, call 207-633-5297.

The Carousel Music Theater, now in it’s 39th year, is located at 196 Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor.